A Marauder

The picture shows an old man with a thick, white, full beard. His clothes are worn-out, and under the shabby felt hat we can glimpse the face of a man who has been ravaged by life. Only on closer examination can we detect the musket which leans on his shoulder and which marks him out as a “marauder”. This term was used to describe deserters or expelled soldiers who plundered and murdered. This one has reached old age. Paudiß’ approach is not to denigrate, however, but rather to search for the dignity in the lonely old man.