Gesicht (Face) [p. 86] 1927

Here is a charcoal drawing titled "Gesicht," or "Face," by Max Beckmann. Beckmann lived through both World Wars, and his work often grapples with the anguish and alienation of modern existence. This drawing could be read as an emotional record of that experience. The face is roughly sketched, with heavy lines that convey a sense of unease. The eyes, heavily shaded, seem to stare out with a mix of vulnerability and defiance. Beckmann was part of the New Objectivity movement in Germany, which sought to portray reality with a harsh, unflinching gaze, reflecting the disillusionment of the interwar period. In his paintings and drawings, Beckmann created a world peopled by characters grappling with moral ambiguity, loss, and the search for meaning. "Gesicht" captures this sentiment, inviting us to confront the complexities of human emotion and the scars of history etched onto a face.