Männliche Bildnisstudie (Male Portrait Study) [p. 69] 

Max Beckmann made this 'Male Portrait Study' with graphite on paper. Notice the economical lines, as the artist maps out a character’s physiognomy in spare strokes. The soft graphite catches the tooth of the paper, a relatively inexpensive surface receptive to the subtlest gradations of tone. The artist’s engagement with the page is direct and immediate, the sketch bearing witness to his hand. Quick studies like this allowed Beckmann to explore form and composition in preparation for his paintings. Beckmann and many of his contemporaries favored these portable, unfussy materials, aligning themselves with a broader culture of accessible art-making. Think of this drawing less as a prelude to high art, and more as a vital mode of expression – a way to capture fleeting observations and distill them into something lasting. So, when you look at this work, consider the blend of intention, material, and mark-making that bridges the gap between craft and fine art.