Shooting Gallery c. 20th century

Editor: This is Max Beckmann's "Shooting Gallery." I am intrigued by the stark imagery. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The shooting gallery itself becomes a symbol, doesn't it? A target represents aspiration, but also vulnerability. The stylized figure, almost mannequin-like, suggests a detachment, while the gun, obviously, embodies power, agency, and perhaps even aggression. How do these images connect to the artist's own historical context, do you think? Editor: Perhaps reflecting the social unrest of the time? This print certainly offers a lot to consider! Curator: Indeed! It reminds us how artists use symbols to tap into collective anxieties.