If self portraits are intended as examinations of the ego, going far beyond the mere illustration, the etched self-portrait by Max Beckmann from 1918 may well be called an outstanding example thereof. The critical eye onto oneself becomes an occupation with the own personality. It his difficult to put both as much doubt as well as an expression of a strong will into a look as Beckmann does in this self portrait. Everything is revealed: the harmed soul after a war which meant both the end of an epoch as well as the will to continue what has just begun, despite all possible doubt. Beckmann shows his own personality profile. If fully aware of its strength and dignity, art can hardly be any more haunting.