Boxveranstaltung (Boxing Match) [p. 3] 

Max Beckmann made this sketch of a boxing match with graphite on paper, giving it a raw, immediate quality. The choice of graphite as a medium is interesting here. Beckmann is best known for his Expressionist paintings, full of bold color. But here, the graphite allows for a quick capture of the scene, emphasizing line and form over detail. You can almost feel the energy of the boxing match through the scribbled lines and dynamic composition. The artist is using simple means to capture a complex scene. The sketch feels like a fleeting snapshot, a moment captured in time. It reminds us that drawing is a fundamental skill, a way of seeing and understanding the world. In this case, it underscores the physicality and intensity of the boxing match, reminding us of the labor involved in such a spectacle. The simplicity of the materials and the directness of the technique invite us to appreciate the skill and vision behind this quick study. It blurs the line between high art and everyday observation.