Akrobat in der Brücke (Backbend) [p. 15] 

Max Beckmann sketched "Akrobat in der Brücke" or "Backbend," using pencil on paper. Beckmann lived through both World Wars, bearing witness to the anguish of the human condition, and his art often embodies themes of alienation. Here, the figure contorts into an unnatural pose, suggesting a discomfort or tension. Beckmann’s choice to depict the figure in such a physically demanding and precarious position evokes a sense of vulnerability. Is the acrobat performing or simply struggling? The sketch emphasizes the body’s ability to be both resilient and fragile. In a way, it’s a stark reminder of the burdens and the flexibility of the human spirit. It confronts us with the question of how we, too, bend and adapt under pressure.