Drei Frauen (Three Women) [p. 37] 1944 - 1949

Max Beckmann sketched "Drei Frauen" or "Three Women" in ink on paper. The drawing seems unfinished, but in it, we see Beckmann grappling with the social conventions of portraying women during a time of great social change in Germany. Made during the Weimar Republic, this work reflects the era's shifting gender roles. The bold, unflinching lines challenge the traditional idealization of women. Instead of graceful curves, Beckmann uses sharp angles and distorted perspectives, mirroring the era's turbulent political landscape. The drawing's incompleteness could be interpreted as a critique of the art world itself, questioning the very act of representation and the male gaze. To fully understand "Drei Frauen", we can consult historical archives, feminist theory, and Beckmann's own writings. Art is always connected to its social and institutional context, and our understanding of it evolves with new research and perspectives.