Zwei Skizzen unter Wasser (Two Under Water Sketch) [p. 47] 1944 - 1949

Max Beckmann created this drawing, Zwei Skizzen unter Wasser, at an unknown date, using ink on paper. Notice the figures rising, arms up, reminiscent of nymphs or naiads, spirits of fresh water, a motif stretching back to antiquity. Their gestures echo the ecstatic poses of maenads in Dionysian rituals, symbolizing liberation and primal energy. These women, submerged in water, are evocative of purification and rebirth, mirroring ancient baptismal rites. Yet, the watery depths also hint at the subconscious, a realm of hidden desires and fears explored by Freud. Beckmann's sketches capture a sense of timelessness, intertwining classical symbols with modern psychological insights. The emotional power of these figures lies in their ambiguous state, suspended between worlds, prompting us to reflect on our own submerged selves and the cyclical nature of human experience.