Max Pechstein, The smoker - Portrait of Alfred Hess, Erfurt, circa 1919 by Atelier Liesjes

A portrait of a man (Alfred Hess) in blue clothes, sitting and smoking on a curved pipe with a white head. He has a balding head, closed eyes and a concentrated expression. Background: grey and green patches with an abstract figure or mask at top left, and wavy lines. Expressive lines and bright colours (blue, green, grey) with brushstrokes.
Meaning
An intimate portrait expressing introspection and melancholy, possibly a friend or patron. The smoke and pipe symbolise relaxation or contemplation; inspired by primitive masks, it fits Pechstein's expressionist style, which emphasises emotion and inner world. After World War I, it reflects personal connections and the search for peace in a turbulent time.
Technique
Watercolour on paper: transparent wax paint with black outlines for dynamic, emotional effects. Combined with pencil or ink for quick, spontaneous details typical of Pechstein's portrait style - flat colours and asymmetry for expressive depth without realism.

Hermann Max Pechstein (Zwickau, 31 December 1881 - Berlin, 29 June 1955) was a painter from Germany. Pechstein is considered an important representative of expressionism. In 1918, after World War I, Pechstein co-founded the Arbeitsrat für Kunst and in 1922 he joined the Prussian Academy of Art.