begonnene Elefantenstudie (Initial Sketch of an Elephant) [p. 29] 

Editor: Here we have Max Beckmann's "Initial Sketch of an Elephant", rendered in graphite pencil on paper. It looks like it's a page from a sketchbook. The sketch itself is very faint, almost ethereal. What strikes me is how raw and immediate it feels. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, seeing this preliminary sketch invites consideration of Beckmann’s process, and how the very act of drawing is imbricated in both institutional power structures, as well as in popular imagery, which could become symbols, loaded with meaning depending on the historical moment. Why do you think he chose to draw an elephant? Editor: I don't know. I am interested in its symbolism – the weight of the beast and maybe a connotation of memory. Do initial sketches like these offer insights into the artist's social or cultural context? Curator: Absolutely. Sketches can offer unvarnished views into an artist's thinking. Was he perhaps studying elephants at a zoo? Where would he have viewed elephants? What was their social symbolism? Beckmann lived through a tumultuous period, and seemingly simple images like this could be subtly charged depending on the audience. Also, it’s on page 29. To me, that speaks of intent and focus. Was this an everyday occurrence, or a more meaningful reflection? Editor: So you're suggesting that the location of the work within the book changes its interpretation? That context is critical. Curator: Precisely. A finished work is inevitably altered by the gallery system, but these intimate gestures aren't always framed. And, in fact, they may offer the most potent social reading as a consequence. Editor: That's really interesting, a quick sketch containing potentially subversive social commentary! It makes me appreciate how much can be communicated with a simple line. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that every image, no matter how seemingly insignificant, participates in a larger historical and cultural dialogue.