Paar (Couple) [p. 17] 

Max Beckmann made this drawing, "Paar," with graphite on paper. Here, the paper isn’t just a neutral surface; its lined texture is fully integrated into the sketch. Look at how Beckmann uses the horizontal lines to suggest form, particularly in the shoulders of the figure on the left. The immediacy of graphite allows for quick, expressive strokes, capturing fleeting moments and raw emotions. The visible smudges and erasures tell a story of the artist's process, revealing adjustments and refinements made in real time. This reminds us that art-making is a physical act, a kind of labor. There's an everyday quality to the materials, but that's deceptive. By embracing them, Beckmann elevates the mundane, and brings us closer to the human condition. It reminds us that the true value of art lies not in its preciousness, but in its power to reveal the world around us.