Artisten am Trapez (Balancing Act on Trapeze) [p. 12] 

Max Beckmann sketched "Artisten am Trapez (Balancing Act on Trapeze)" with graphite on lined paper, an unadorned scene that belies a deeper exploration of human vulnerability. Beckmann lived through both World Wars and the rise of totalitarianism. The circus, for him, served as a metaphor for the precariousness of life amidst social upheaval. Here, the trapeze artists become symbols of individuals navigating the complexities of modern existence, seeking balance in a world turned upside down. The use of line in this sketch feels raw and immediate, mirroring the emotional intensity of the figures’ daring performance. There’s a sense of both excitement and danger, of reaching for something just beyond grasp. Beckmann once said, “to reproduce the subject, one must penetrate into the subject until one has the sensation of identifying oneself with it.” This sketch invites us to consider the daring acts we all perform in our own lives. It prompts us to think about how we maintain our balance. How we seek connection in moments of uncertainty and change.