flüchtige Skizze zweier Figuren (Rough Sketch with Two Figures) [p. 21] 

This is a charcoal drawing of two figures by the German artist Max Beckmann. Beckmann lived through both World Wars, an experience that deeply marked his artistic vision, and his personal life. Beckmann’s sketches are raw and immediate reflections of his inner world. You can see here the figures are rendered with bold, gestural lines that convey a sense of unease and emotional intensity. It’s hard to tell who these people are, but they seem to be caught in a moment of conflict or tension. Beckmann's work often grapples with themes of alienation, anxiety, and the search for meaning in a fractured world. Beckmann once said: "What I want to show in my work is the idea which hides itself behind so-called reality." Here, the rough sketch is emotionally charged, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of human existence, and to consider the hidden realities that shape our lives.