Beckmann Sketchbook 13 1915 - 1917

This is Max Beckmann's Sketchbook 13. The artist’s thoughts are literally gathered here, pressed between humble covers of beige cloth and paper. It’s small, intimate; the kind of thing you can slip into a pocket, ready to capture fleeting observations. You can almost feel Beckmann holding it, his thumb rubbing against the slightly worn surface as he pauses, sketchbook in hand, ready to draw. What did he see? What caught his eye and made him reach for this little book? I can imagine him constantly reaching for this sketchbook, always looking, jotting down ideas, much like the Abstract Expressionists. Sketchbooks are where artists let their guard down, where the seeds of bigger ideas are sown. They’re a testament to the endless curiosity and the daily practice that fuels creativity. It's a reminder that art isn't just about the finished product; it's about the process, the journey, the constant dialogue between artist and world.