Sitzende Figur mit verdecktem Gesicht (Seated Figure with Covered Face) [p. 8] 

Max Beckmann sketched "Seated Figure with Covered Face" on lined paper in 1944 using graphite. The figure, seemingly caught in a moment of introspection, is rendered with quick, decisive lines. There's an immediate tension created by the contrast between the exposed body and the concealed face. Beckmann’s use of line is particularly striking. It’s economical yet evocative, suggesting form and emotion with minimal means. The hands obscuring the face draw attention to the psychological weight of the piece. This covering could be interpreted as a rejection of external reality. In the context of post-war existentialism, this work speaks to a broader sense of alienation. The figure becomes a signifier of inner turmoil, a reflection of the artist's own feelings in a world of cultural and personal upheaval. Ultimately, it is the simplicity of line against the backdrop of lined paper that resonates most. This sketch doesn't offer resolution but instead invites ongoing contemplation. It reflects how art can function as a mirror, reflecting not just what we see, but how we interpret and feel within our historical moment.