Rad eines Schubkarrens (Wheel of a Wheelbarrow) [p. 3] 

This drawing, "Wheel of a Wheelbarrow", is by Max Beckmann. It is made using graphite on a page taken from a notebook. The spartan lines of Beckmann's sketch immediately draw our attention to the wheel's isolated form. A circle, barely contained, acts as the wheel's perimeter. It is crossed by crude, straight lines which intersect at its center. From this center emerge two downward strokes which imply movement. These few elements suggest a symbolic language that invites us to delve into the depths of existential inquiry. Beckmann uses a minimum of means to evoke a world of profound meaning and invite us to reflect on the interplay between form and concept. How does this simple wheel function as a metaphor? Is it a statement on the cyclical nature of life, or is it a comment on the burden of labor? Therein lies the beauty of Beckmann's formal language, which does not dictate meaning but prompts endless interpretations.