Self-Portrait (Original Title)Blatt 1 aus der Mappe „Day and Dream“ 1946

This self-portrait is one of the lithographs Max Beckmann created for his portfolio "Day and Dream." Beckmann lived through both World Wars, an experience that deeply influenced his artistic expression. Here, Beckmann presents himself with an unflinching gaze, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. The harsh lines etched into the print capture a sense of weariness, perhaps reflecting the disillusionment of the interwar period in Germany. Beckmann, like many artists of his time, grappled with questions of identity and belonging. The self-portrait becomes a stage for exploring the complexities of the modern artist, caught between tradition and the anxieties of a rapidly changing world. The artist wrote, "What I want to show in my work is the idea which hides itself behind so-called reality." Consider how Beckmann uses his own image to confront societal issues, inviting us to contemplate the human condition. This print encourages a personal and emotional engagement with the artist's search for meaning in a fractured world.