Akrobat auf Schaukel (Acrobat in a Swing) [p. 19] 

Max Beckmann created this drawing, "Acrobat in a Swing," on a simple notebook page. The scene evokes primal notions of balance and daring, symbolized through the figure of the acrobat. The acrobat, suspended mid-air, brings to mind the Greek mythological figure of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun. Both evoke a sense of ambition and the inherent risks of overreaching. Like Icarus's wings, the acrobat's swing becomes a vehicle for transcending earthly bounds, yet also hints at the potential for a fall. Consider the tightrope walker or the dancer in other artworks through time; these figures remind us of the precariousness of life and the constant striving for equilibrium. Such images tap into our collective fears and aspirations, connecting us to timeless human experiences. They surface repeatedly, shaped by cultural shifts, yet rooted in our shared, subconscious understanding of risk and reward.