Ice on the River 1923

Max Beckmann made this painting, Ice on the River, on an unknown date, using oil on canvas. The palette is a moody mix of grays and blacks, punctuated by these strange, muted colors. It's like he’s trying to capture a feeling more than a scene. Look at the surface – the paint isn’t trying to hide, it's thick in some places, thin in others, and you can almost see the ghost of each brushstroke. The ice itself is rendered with these long, deliberate strokes that feel both solid and fluid. There’s a tension there, a kind of push and pull. Then, there’s that little crescent moon hanging in the sky, almost like a question mark. Beckmann reminds me of Ensor, both playing with the weirdness just beneath the surface of everyday life. Ultimately, this piece shows us that art isn’t about answers, it’s about embracing the mystery.