Portrait Sabine Hackenschmidt (Portrait of Sabine Hackenschmidt) [p. 11] 

Max Beckmann created this pencil sketch of Sabine Hackenschmidt with simple materials on a humble scale. The rapid strokes suggest a fleeting encounter, capturing a likeness with remarkable economy. The choice of pencil—an inexpensive, widely available tool—speaks to the artist's focus on immediacy and directness. There's no pretense here, just the stark reality of graphite on paper. The dense hatching and bold outlines create a sculptural effect, as if Beckmann were carving into the page. Look closely, and you can see the pressure he applied, the varying thicknesses of the lines, and the way he built up tone through repetition. This drawing embodies a kind of artistic labor that is both intimate and urgent. It reminds us that even the simplest materials, when wielded with skill and vision, can convey profound meaning. The essence of art lies not in extravagant displays but in the artist's engagement with the world through the act of making.