Beckmann Sketchbook 8 1915

This sketchbook was made by Max Beckmann, but we don't know exactly when. Just looking at the object as an object, I'm immediately thinking about the process of artmaking. The cover is stained, like an old tool bag. Brown, worn, with spots that almost look like earth. Its texture is like an aged canvas, something that's been around the block a few times. See how the corners are soft from use, while the pages themselves look untouched. Beckmann's rough lines and bold compositions are reflected in the scuffs and marks all over the cover. In a way, this object resembles the work of Cy Twombly. Both leave us with a sense of something deeply human, a record of time. What can be gleaned from the empty pages and the worn cover about artmaking itself? It's like we're holding a silent conversation with the artist. A reminder that art is not just about the final product, but the journey, the process, the silent companion.