Mehrfigurige Skizze in Interieur (Interior Scene) [p. 32] 

Here's a sketch from a notebook by Max Beckmann, made with graphite on paper. The quick, energetic strokes suggest that Beckmann was interested in capturing a fleeting moment, not labored perfection. The seeming spontaneity belies a sophisticated understanding of composition. Each line contributes to a complex layering of forms, creating a claustrophobic interior space filled with figures. The medium itself, graphite, lends itself well to the artist’s style, with varying degrees of pressure creating depth and shadow. We can imagine the artist quickly filling in shapes, the soft graphite gliding across the page to capture forms in a flurry of marks. This work gives us an intimate look into the artist’s process, the medium and methods used reveal as much as the subject matter itself. By considering these aspects, we can appreciate the skill and intention behind what might initially seem like a casual sketch.