Männliche Bildnisstudie (Unknown Male Portrait Study) [p. 20] 

This is a pencil drawing titled ‘Male Portrait Study’ by Max Beckmann. The seemingly unfinished sketch presents a close-up, low-angle view of a man’s face, cropped in such a way that it appears to float against the blank page. Notice the frenetic energy conveyed through Beckmann’s use of line. The composition relies on a series of quick, gestural marks that define the contours of the face, creating a sense of dynamism. The face is tilted back as though in repose. The loose, almost chaotic network of lines suggests more than just the physical likeness of the subject; it hints at a psychological depth. Beckmann was associated with the New Objectivity movement, which sought to depict a world disillusioned after the First World War. This sketch can be understood as engaging with existentialist ideas. It challenges traditional portraiture, foregoing idealisation in favour of a raw, unvarnished portrayal of human existence.