Profil eines Mannes mit Spitzbart (Portrait of a Man with a Pointed Beard) [p. 64] 

Editor: Here we have Max Beckmann's "Profil eines Mannes mit Spitzbart," or "Profile of a Man with a Pointed Beard." It’s a drawing, maybe graphite or ink… there's a looseness to the lines, but the guy has this very distinct beard. It's a simple composition, but there's something almost confrontational about the upward tilt of the head. What strikes you most about this portrait? Curator: The immediacy of the line work, the almost frantic energy, it's a visual shorthand that tells us much about the societal tensions brewing during its likely creation. Beckmann's engagement with Expressionism wasn't just aesthetic; it was a reflection of the political turmoil and psychological angst of the time. Do you think that context informs your initial impression? Editor: It probably does. The angle could represent the feeling of resistance maybe? Curator: Exactly. Think about the role of portraiture traditionally. It was often about power, status, idealization. Here, Beckmann seems to be subverting that. This sketch isn't about glorifying an individual. It’s more a reflection of the common man, imbued with a subtle strength of defiance. The medium itself contributes to this - the accessibility of graphite allows for quick sketches accessible for most to engage with, moving art away from the wealthy. Who gets remembered and represented and by whom? Editor: So it's almost like he’s giving a voice, or a face, to those feelings of unease through this common medium, that otherwise might not be recognized? Curator: Precisely! He's using a readily available medium, graphite, to engage a wider audience and visually articulate this undercurrent of resistance. That pointed beard becomes not just a physical characteristic but a symbol of that resistance, pointing upwards, defiant. Editor: That makes me see it so differently. Before it just felt like a sketch, but now I can appreciate that defiance you pointed out through both its aesthetic choices, the subject matter and its availability to a wider population. Curator: And that's the power of art history—unveiling the layers of meaning embedded within seemingly simple works, understanding their public role in the visual sphere.