15145 („Gibt man dem Manne …“) 1931

This drawing, 15145 ("If you give the man …") by John Elsas, presents us with an enigmatic figure rendered in simple lines and flat planes of color. Elsas, who lived through a tumultuous period in German history, produced this work at a time of immense social upheaval. The figure’s face is an opaque yellow circle, with closed eyes and a small dash for a mouth. It is dressed in a dark, ill-fitting coat. Below this peculiar figure are the words: “If you give the man a ducat! Then he gladly vouches for the state.” This implies a critique of power structures and economic systems. The drawing is both an emotional outlet and a form of protest. Could this be an indictment of how easily people are swayed by monetary incentives? How might it reflect the artist's personal experiences with political corruption or social inequality? Elsas encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and the systems that govern our lives.