Schlafender Mann (Sleeping Man) [p. 43] 

Max Beckmann made this pencil drawing, "Sleeping Man," during a time of immense social upheaval in Germany. Consider the power of a simple sketch like this, made during the interwar years in Germany. The weight of economic collapse and rising political extremism bore down on everyday life. Beckmann, like many artists, documented the anxieties of his era through his work. Note how the man's closed eyes and slumped posture create a sense of vulnerability, reflecting the weariness of a society grappling with profound change. It's tempting to read into the man's sleep a desire to escape reality, a common theme in the art and literature of the time. To truly appreciate the artwork, we can explore historical archives, diaries, newspapers and political documents. These can help us uncover the cultural and institutional contexts that shaped Beckmann's art and its reception. Art history helps us understand how social and institutional forces shape both the creation and interpretation of art.