Sleeping Woman (Schlafende) 1923

Max Beckmann created this woodcut, "Sleeping Woman", during a period of immense social upheaval in Germany. Beckmann, a veteran of World War I, was deeply affected by the war's trauma, which is often reflected in his work through themes of anxiety and introspection. Here, we see a woman reclining, her expression serene yet conveying a sense of weariness. The sharp contrasts and angular lines are characteristic of the German Expressionist movement, which sought to convey raw emotion and personal experience. Beckmann’s female figures often defy traditional representations, presenting women as complex individuals rather than idealized objects. The choice of a sleeping subject invites us to consider themes of vulnerability and escape. Does she find solace, or is she simply overwhelmed by the tumultuous world around her? In Beckmann’s words, "art is life, intensified, filtered, and set forth." Perhaps this image captures a universal desire to retreat from a world in crisis. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human need for rest amid the storms of history.