Weiblich Bildnistudie, Sabine Hackenschmidt (Portrait of Sabine Hackenschmidt) [p. 14] 

Max Beckmann made this drawing, "Weiblich Bildnistudie, Sabine Hackenschmidt," with graphite on paper. Rather than using the materials for a finished piece, Beckmann chose them for their expediency. As a preliminary sketch, the drawing’s graphite lines reflect the artist's immediate interaction with his subject, capturing the ephemeral quality of a fleeting moment. The visible marks and smudges tell us about the process of creation, revealing the artist’s adjustments and erasures as he worked to capture the likeness of Sabine Hackenschmidt. The linear quality of the drawing gives a sense of the artist's hand moving across the paper, engaging in the traditional practice of portraiture, yet not beholden to its conventional form. The artist has left visible the effort involved in the production process. By considering the materials and processes used, we gain a deeper understanding of the artist's intent, and challenges the boundaries of fine art and everyday creative practices.