Kopf einer Frau mit Hut sowie eine - bei Drehung des Papiers um 180 Grad gezeichnete - schematische Fratze 1917

This sketch, made by Max Beckmann, shows a woman's head and a grotesque face drawn in pencil, so you can really see the artist thinking on paper. It reminds me that art is about process and not just about the finished product. The marks here are quick, loose, and exploratory. The pencil lines vary in pressure, giving the drawing a sense of depth and texture. Look at the woman's eyes, they are like dark pools with little dots of reflected light, that really makes her pop. The grotesque face, on the other hand, is all sharp angles and jagged lines, creating a sense of unease. Beckmann, with his expressionist and figurative work, was influenced by artists like Van Gogh and Munch, who also used art to explore the inner turmoil of the human experience. It's a reminder that art is not just about beauty, but also about confronting the darker aspects of life.