mehrfigurige Skizze (Figural Composition) [p. 73] 1914 - 1915

This small sketch, "Figural Composition," was made by Max Beckmann, probably in one of his many sketchbooks. It's a tumble of lines, like a box of broken toothpicks. Beckmann’s marks are raw and energetic. Look at the way he uses line to suggest form, but also to disrupt it. There's a constant push and pull between representation and abstraction, kind of like a visual argument. The image looks almost violent, as figures are caught in a whirlwind of jagged lines. Take, for example, that vertical line that shoots up near the center, it seems to pierce the other forms, creating a sense of tension and unease. It’s not just a drawing; it’s a record of a thought process. Beckmann has something in common with other artists such as Picasso, constantly challenging our perception of reality and embracing the messy, unresolved nature of artmaking.