Self-Portrait

1918, published c. 1922

Max Beckmann

Associated Names
Max Beckmann

Artist, German, 1884 - 1950

unidentified

Printer

The image shows a man's upper body close-up, with the focus on his head and shoulders. The man is facing forward with a straight posture. He has prominent eyebrows, downturned eyes, a defined nose, and closed lips, conveying a focused expression. His hair is dark and flat against his head. He is wearing a collared shirt with a tie underneath a jacket or coat, all depicted in a sketchy, etching style. The background features swirling and line-based patterning, creating an abstract or textured backdrop. There are no visible jewelry or objects held by the man. The overall scene lacks specific detail, with the background consisting of etched lines and shapes.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    drypoint on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann

  • Dimensions

    plate: 30.3 x 25.5 cm (11 15/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
    sheet: 51.8 x 38 cm (20 3/8 x 14 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1984.64.7

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hofmaier 1990, no. 125, State Ba


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mrs. Max Beckman, Peoria, gift to NGA, 1984.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1986

  • Graphic Survey Show, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., February 1986.

2024

  • The Anxious Eye: German Expressionism and Its Legacy, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2024.

Bibliography

1962

  • Gallwitz, Klaus. Max Beckmann. Die Druckgraphik, Radierungen, Lithographien, Holzschnitte. Karlsruhe: Badischer Kunstverein, 1962.

1990

  • Hofmaier, James. Max Beckmann, Catalogue raisonné of his Prints. 2 vols. Bern: Gallery Kornfeld, 1990.

Inscriptions

lower center in graphite: fur M[?] / 11.5.28; lower right in graphite: Beckmann

Wikidata ID

Q74065878

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