Going far beyond the definition of a study, this work by Karl Hofer is typical of his portrait art from the 1930s. The slightly lowered head with the deep-set eyes evokes an aura of contemplation characteristic of the portraits from those days. The restrained coloring also makes its contribution to the contemplative overall expression. Even though the models resemble one another, Hofer succeeds in visualizing the individual fate of the depicted person in these portraits, at the same time elevating it to a universal state. Hofer's portraits from these days possess a striking expression that tells a lot about the artist's mental state at the beginning of an era that would become particularly difficult for him.