Landschaftsskizze mit Notizen (Sketch with Inscription) [p. 64] 

Max Beckmann made this landscape sketch with inscriptions on a small sheet of paper, at an unknown date. The visible marks of graphite, layered and rubbed into the page, speak to the immediacy of his creative process. The artist used a soft pencil, allowing him to quickly capture the scene with loose lines. The tooth of the paper also becomes an active element, catching the graphite and creating subtle textures. We can see these textures clearly in the sky and the distant landscape, adding depth to the composition. The handwritten notes, scrawled across the sketch, offer insight into the artist's thoughts and observations. Beckmann used these accessible materials and techniques to create a piece that is both intimate and revealing. The sketch invites us to consider the relationship between observation, memory, and the act of drawing itself. It also reminds us that even the simplest materials can be a powerful means of artistic expression.