The Fall of Man 1946

Editor: This stark piece is Max Beckmann's "The Fall of Man." The use of black ink is so evocative; it makes me think about vulnerability and shame. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The serpent, the staff, the barren tree... Beckmann utilizes familiar Christian iconography, but distorts it. The rigid posture and raised arms suggest a seeking of redemption, perhaps, but from what, and at what cost? Do you sense any continuity in the narrative? Editor: The snake wrapping around the tree makes me think of the original sin, but the sharp angles create tension, as if the figures are trapped. It is thought-provoking! Curator: Indeed, Beckmann is inviting us to look beyond the literal telling. He encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves, and the symbols by which we live.