Zwei Figuren und ein Gesicht (Two Figures and a Face) [p. 47] 

Max Beckmann rendered this pen and ink drawing, “Two Figures and a Face”, with deceptively simple lines. The most striking element is the disembodied face at the bottom, its eyes closed as if in sleep or perhaps blindness. This recalls ancient Greek depictions of Hypnos, the god of sleep, or even the blind seer Tiresias, figures who, though lacking physical sight, possess profound inner vision. Throughout history, closed eyes in art have symbolized introspection, dreams, or a detachment from the material world. In contrast, the large, looming face gazes out with a weary skepticism. This juxtaposition creates a tension, a dialogue between the inner and outer worlds, between knowledge and ignorance. The symbols echo through time, reappearing in different guises, each era reinterpreting them through its own cultural lens. It is a cycle, not a linear progression, reflecting the endless dance between the conscious and subconscious.