Six-day race in Berlin 20 - 1909

Max Slevogt created "Six-Day Race in Berlin" using pastel on paper. The drawing plunges us into the heart of a bustling cycling event, dominated by a palette of greys, browns and blues, punctuated by stark whites. Slevogt’s composition divides the scene into distinct layers. The frenzied energy of the race is viewed through a mass of spectators. His loose strokes evoke a sense of movement and excitement, mirroring the dynamism of the cyclists and the animation of the crowd. What’s fascinating is how Slevogt uses the semiotic system of signs to explore the cultural codes of his time. The race symbolizes progress, speed, and the spectacle of modern life. The figures are not individualized but rendered as types, inviting a reading of the social body, with all its diversity and collective energy. Consider the blurred lines and indistinct shapes, which seem to question the boundaries between observer and participant, reality and representation. It captures not just an event but a dynamic intersection of sport, society, and spectacle, open to ongoing interpretation.