Fünf kleine Skizzen mit Bezeichnung (Five Small Sketches with Inscriptions) [p. 52] 

Max Beckmann’s "Five Small Sketches with Inscriptions" is an intimate glimpse into the artist's creative process, revealing the origins of his complex and symbolic imagery. Beckmann was deeply affected by his experiences in World War I and by the social and political turmoil of the Weimar Republic, and he became associated with the New Objectivity movement. These sketches, seemingly casual, offer a window into his exploration of classical themes such as the Amazons, along with more contemporary or personal subjects. There’s a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to these quick drawings, a rawness that captures the artist’s unfiltered thoughts. Beckmann, reflecting on his art, wrote: "I am searching for the self and for God." This search is palpable in the tentative lines and enigmatic imagery of these sketches. Here, we witness an artist grappling with the big questions, using the language of art to make sense of a world in chaos. They serve as a reminder that art is not always about grand statements but can also be a quiet, personal quest for meaning.