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In this room, Grossberg's self-portrait is presented alongside a small selection of photographic portraits by August Sander (1876–1964). Sander, a contemporary of Grossberg, is regarded as an important pioneer of a new style of photography that became known as 'Neues Sehen' and can be described as documentary and objective. Sander achieved great popularity with his work 'Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts' (People of the 20th Century), created around 1924, in which he brought together hundreds of portraits of people from different social classes and professions in various picture portfolios, thus creating an important social portrait of his time. The aim was to highlight the typical physiognomy and body language of different professions, genders, and generations, as well as individual appearances.

The pastrycook faces us – another characteristic feature of Sander's work – in his work clothes at his workplace, a bakery. With a stern gaze, a mixing bowl in his hand and a steady stance, he faces his viewers directly. The gaze directed towards the audience, the frontal orientation of his body and the display of his profession connect the photographic portrait with Grossberg's painterly self-portrait.