Beginnning 1949

Max Beckmann’s ‘Beginning’ is an oil painting that explores the messy, chaotic depths of human experience. The thick application of paint, and bold use of color, create a claustrophobic sense of tension. Beckmann’s process emphasizes expressive figuration over naturalistic representation. His focus on the qualities of oil paint – its viscosity, and capacity for layering – imbues the artwork with social significance. The tactile nature of the medium, with its origins dating back to the early Renaissance, invites the viewer to consider the artist's physical labor, and emotional investment in the work. The materiality is not just about aesthetics; it’s about the complex relationship between art, labor, and human expression. ‘Beginning’ challenges conventional notions of art, and craft by placing equal emphasis on the artist’s skilled manipulation of materials, and the artwork’s deeper thematic concerns.