Häuserdach (Rooftop) [p. 20] 

This sketch of rooftops was rendered by Max Beckmann with pencil on paper. Look at the recurring triangular shapes that form the roofs. This simple geometric form echoes across millennia, from ancient Egyptian pyramids to the gabled roofs of European homes. The triangle, a symbol of stability and shelter, touches deep-seated human needs. It’s not merely architecture; it’s an archetype, a universal form lodged in our collective consciousness. These pointed roofs, repeated in rhythmic succession, tap into a primal sense of protection, a defense against the elements and the unknown. The house, in its most basic form, provides this sense of security. Throughout history, the image of the home appears as a symbol for the self, a physical manifestation of inner psychological states, a haven in a world of perpetual flux. These lines are more than architectural studies; they’re an echo of humanity’s enduring quest for refuge, resonating within our very being.