Self-Portrait with Horn 1938

Max Beckmann made this painting, “Self-Portrait with Horn,” using oil on canvas. Look at the way Beckmann applies the paint. He’s not trying to trick you into thinking this is real; instead, he seems interested in the process of how the image is coming into being. The thick, dark outlines, almost like lead, emphasize the shapes, especially the stripes on his shirt. Notice the texture, the way he layers the paint so you can see the marks and strokes. I wonder what kind of brushes he used? The horn itself is fascinating. It's right up against his ear, like he’s listening intently, or maybe it's a symbol, a visual pun on "horn," suggesting something more sinister. Beckmann's bold use of color and simplified forms remind me a little of some of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner. But, Beckmann is doing his own thing. He shows us that painting isn't about answers, it's about questions, and the fun is in the making.