PreviewPreview AR previewAR preview Buy Hand Made Painting Buy Hand Made PaintingSwitch to Digital Image Switch to Digital Image SendSend
DetailsDetails Add to favorites Add to favorites DownloadDownload SimilarsSimilars X-RayX-Ray DiaporamaDiaporama StatsStats

Self-Portrait with Trumpet

Max Beckmann's intense Self-Portrait with Trumpet (1938) captures the artist’s expressionist style through a serious man in red holding a trumpet, alongside a bottle and cup. This powerful oil on canvas offers a glimpse into Beckmann’s unique vision and artistic legacy – discover this remarkable piece.

Explore the powerful & symbolic art of Max Beckmann (1884-1950). A key figure in German Expressionism, his paintings depict distorted figures and haunting landscapes reflecting WWI trauma & existential themes. Discover his legacy today.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (Buy Hand Made Painting Buy Hand Made PaintingSwitch to Digital Image Switch to Digital Image)

P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the image with a mirrored or solid-fill edge. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (10 September)

why_choose_icon
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
why_choose_icon
High-Quality Linen Canvas
why_choose_icon
Full Shipping Insurance
why_choose_icon
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
why_choose_icon
True Color Matching Guarantee
why_choose_icon
100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
why_choose_icon
100% Money-Back Guarantee
why_choose_icon
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 69

reproduction

Self-Portrait with Trumpet

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 69

Quick Facts

  • Notable elements: Trumpet, bottle, cup
  • Subject or theme: Self-portrait
  • Artist: Max Beckmann
  • Dimensions: 101 x 110 cm
  • Title: Self-Portrait with Trumpet
  • Year: 1938
  • Influences:
    • Cézanne
    • Van Gogh

Max Beckmann's 'Self-Portrait with Trumpet': A Study in Disquiet

Max Beckmann’s 1938 ‘Self-Portrait with Trumpet’ is not merely a representation of the artist; it’s a raw, unsettling exploration of identity and disillusionment rendered with the characteristic intensity of his expressionist style. Completed during a period of profound personal and artistic transformation, this oil on canvas offers a glimpse into Beckmann's evolving worldview – one shaped by the trauma of World War I and a growing sense of alienation from the societal norms of his time. The painting’s immediate impact lies in its unsettling composition: a man, clad in a striking red garment, stares directly at the viewer with an almost accusatory gaze. His posture is rigid, conveying a palpable tension, while the trumpet he holds to his lips suggests both aspiration and perhaps a desperate attempt to find solace or expression within a world seemingly devoid of meaning.

  • Subject & Composition: The central figure dominates the canvas, immediately drawing the viewer into a confrontation. The inclusion of the bottle and cup adds layers of complexity, hinting at themes of indulgence, contemplation, and perhaps even self-medication – common anxieties reflected in Beckmann’s oeuvre.
  • Technique & Materials: Executed in oil on canvas, the painting showcases Beckmann's masterful control over texture and color. Thick impasto strokes build a sense of physicality, while his use of muted reds, browns, and blues creates an atmosphere of brooding melancholy. The deliberate distortion of perspective further amplifies the emotional impact.

Echoes of Medieval Iconography & Artistic Influences

Beckmann’s artistic development was profoundly influenced by a deep engagement with medieval art, particularly stained glass and late Gothic painting. This fascination is evident in the flattened perspectives, symbolic imagery, and almost ritualistic quality of ‘Self-Portrait with Trumpet.’ He drew heavily from artists like Rembrandt, whose use of chiaroscuro – the dramatic interplay of light and shadow – resonates powerfully within this work, as well as the Northern European masters Bosch and Grünewald, known for their unsettling depictions of human folly and spiritual struggle. Cézanne’s influence is also discernible in Beckmann's exploration of form and space, while Van Gogh’s emotional intensity undoubtedly contributed to his own expressive approach.

Historical Context & The Artist's Psyche

Painted in 1938, a year marked by rising political tensions in Germany, the painting reflects the anxieties of the era. Beckmann’s experiences as a medical orderly during World War I left an indelible mark on his psyche, contributing to his later artistic preoccupation with themes of suffering, loss, and the dehumanizing effects of conflict. The self-portrait can be interpreted as a deeply personal statement – a struggle to reconcile his own identity with the fractured realities of the modern world. It’s a testament to Beckmann's courage in confronting difficult truths about himself and humanity.

A Timeless Expression of Human Condition

'Self-Portrait with Trumpet' transcends its historical context, offering a timeless meditation on the human condition. Its raw emotional power and unsettling imagery continue to resonate with viewers today, solidifying Beckmann’s place as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. This meticulously crafted reproduction captures not just an image but the very essence of Beckmann's artistic vision – a poignant reminder of our shared vulnerability and the enduring search for meaning in a chaotic world.


Artist Biography

early life and artistic development

max beckmann, a renowned german painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, was born on february 12, 1884, in leipzig, saxony. his artistic journey began with academically correct depictions, which later transformed into distorted figures and spaces, reflecting his altered vision of humanity after serving as a medical orderly in world war i.

artistic style and influences

beckmann's style, rooted in the imagery of medieval stained glass, was influenced by various artists, including cézanne, van gogh, blake, rembrandt, and rubens. he also drew inspiration from northern european artists of the late middle ages and early renaissance, such as bosch, bruegel, and matthias grünewald.

notable works and exhibitions

* the bark (acquired by the national gallery in berlin) * self-portrait in tuxedo (purchased in 1928) * retrospectives at the städtische kunsthalle mannheim (1928) and in basle and zurich (1930)

later life and exile

beckmann's fortunes changed with the rise of adolf hitler, leading to his dismissal from the art school in frankfurt and the confiscation of over 500 of his works. he lived in self-imposed exile in amsterdam for ten years, failing to obtain a visa for the united states.

legacy

* taught at the art schools of washington university in st. louis and the brooklyn museum * first retrospective in the united states took place in 1948 at the city art museum, saint louis * max-slevogt galerie, germany, features a collection of his works key dates: * born: february 12, 1884 * died: december 27, 1950
Max Beckmann

Max Beckmann

1884 - 1950 , Germany

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Expressionism
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
    • Rembrandt
    • Bosch
  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
    • Georges Seurat
    • Vincent van Gogh
  • Date Of Birth: February 12, 1884
  • Date Of Death: December 27, 1950
  • Full Name: Max Carl Friedrich Beckmann
  • Nationality: German
  • Notable Artworks:
    • The Bark
    • Self-Portrait in Tuxedo
  • Place Of Birth: Leipzig, Germany
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.