17701 („Mit meinen Fehlern heute prahlt der Maler …“) 1932

John Elsas created this piece titled "With my mistakes today boasts the painter..." using paper collage. The figure is presented with a peculiar hat and an assertive gesture, reminiscent of characters from commedia dell'arte. The pointing gesture, which is evocative of command, can be traced back through centuries, seen in ancient Roman oratory to Renaissance portraiture, each time imbued with the power to direct attention and influence action. Yet, here, the gesture appears somewhat absurd. Such juxtaposition reminds us of the ever-shifting nature of symbols. The tension between the serious gesture and the whimsical collage invites a psychoanalytic reading. Is the artist exploring themes of authority and mockery, or perhaps delving into the subconscious where contradictory impulses coexist? This is a visual exploration of the human condition and how symbols evolve.