Detailstudien eines Ochsen, Notizen (Details of a Bullock, Notation) [p. 10] 

Max Beckmann created this sketch, "Detailstudien eines Ochsen, Notizen," using graphite on paper, a medium that emphasizes line and form. The composition is sparse; the bullock rendered with minimal strokes, capturing essence over detail. Beckmann's use of line is critical here. It is tentative, searching, and, in its fragmented nature, reflects a broader modernist sensibility that rejects traditional representation in favor of subjective experience. The eye is led to decipher form from suggestion. The lines do not simply delineate but also create a sense of movement. Semiotic analysis reveals the bullock as a signifier, representing not merely an animal but broader themes of labor, physicality, and perhaps even sacrifice. Beckmann challenges fixed meanings through his deconstruction of form, inviting viewers to engage in an active process of interpretation. This drawing destabilizes established notions of beauty, value, and representation.