Lageplan (Site Plan) [p. 9] 

Max Beckmann created this drawing, "Lageplan," with pen on paper. The seemingly simple sketch immediately pulls us into a world of structural forms and spatial relationships. Notice how Beckmann uses line to create a complex interplay of geometric shapes. The composition is anchored by vertical lines intersected by horizontal elements, giving a sense of architectural planning. However, the skewed perspective and the somewhat ambiguous forms destabilize any clear sense of space. The shapes hover, refusing to resolve into a coherent image. The lines, though spare, create a tension between representation and abstraction. Beckmann plays with our perception, inviting us to decode the image through a system of visual signs. Is it a map, a building plan, or something more abstract? This uncertainty is key. Beckmann challenges us to question fixed meanings. The drawing functions not just as an aesthetic exercise but as an invitation to rethink our ways of seeing and interpreting the world.