#44730 August Macke (1887-1914)

The portrait presents a young man in a formal attire against a turbulent background. He is positioned centrally within the frame, gazing directly at the viewer with a somewhat melancholic expression. The lighting emphasizes his face and upper torso, leaving the lower portion of his body largely obscured by shadow. His dark hair is neatly parted and swept back from his forehead, revealing a high brow and intense eyes. A crisp white collar frames his face, contrasting sharply with the darker tones of his suit and tie.
The background is rendered in broad strokes of red and black paint, creating a sense of unease and emotional intensity. These swirling colors seem to press in on the figure, suggesting an internal struggle or external pressures bearing down upon him. The brushwork here is loose and expressive, contrasting with the more precise rendering of the man’s features.
The artists signature appears faintly visible in the upper left corner, along with a date indicating the work was created around 1906. This temporal context places the portrait within a period of significant social and artistic change. The formal attire suggests an adherence to traditional values, while the expressive background hints at a burgeoning modernity and psychological introspection.
The man’s direct gaze establishes a connection with the viewer, inviting contemplation about his identity and inner state. His expression is not overtly joyful or sorrowful; rather, it conveys a sense of quiet resignation or perhaps even suppressed anxiety. The overall effect is one of restrained emotion and subtle complexity. Its possible to interpret this as an exploration of selfhood within a rapidly changing world, where established norms are being questioned and new forms of expression are emerging.