Frau mit geschlossenen Augen (Woman with Eyes Closed) [p. 7] 

Editor: So here we have Max Beckmann's "Frau mit geschlossenen Augen," or "Woman with Eyes Closed," a pencil drawing. It looks like it was done in a sketchbook. There's a rawness to the lines, like he's capturing a fleeting moment. What draws your attention in this piece? Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the materiality of this work – it’s a humble pencil sketch, yet the mark-making tells us so much. The visible tooth of the paper, the varying pressure of the pencil – these all point to a specific act of labor. It speaks volumes about the means of production and the conditions in which this image was created. Was this a preparatory sketch, or a finished piece? The format really emphasizes it being like a daily record, maybe an intimate study? Editor: That's interesting; I hadn't thought about the paper itself contributing to the overall feel. So, beyond just the artist’s hand, you’re seeing the material choices as communicating something? Curator: Absolutely. Look at how the paper isn’t perfectly white, likely from the period. What kind of pencil did he use? Hard lead, soft lead? Each choice affects the final image, and informs our understanding of the process of creation. In the face of traditional, maybe 'refined', artistic notions, these sketches celebrate and uplift these humble tools and the 'blue collar' efforts in artmaking.. Editor: That makes me rethink how I approach even simple sketches. Thank you for sharing those ideas. Curator: My pleasure. Consider also how this "raw" art process provides us with insight on how much labor these great works of art require.