Sleeping Nude 1938

Max Beckmann made this watercolour, Sleeping Nude, sometime around 1932. What’s lovely is the way he makes this image with such simple marks and colors - just enough to suggest the curve of the body, the weight of the limbs, and the softness of the bed. Look at the lines that define the body - they’re not precious or overly descriptive, but they’re strong and confident, giving the figure a real presence. The colors are muted, mostly warm yellows and browns, which create a sense of intimacy and warmth. Notice the way he renders the foot with all those little lines. It’s like he’s trying to capture every little detail. Beckmann’s not trying to create a perfect, idealized nude. It’s more like he’s capturing a moment, a feeling, a raw, human experience. I see a connection with how Henri Matisse uses line and color to capture the essence of his subjects. Both artists have a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary, inviting us to see the world in a new light.