flüchtige männliche Bildnisstudie (Male Portrait Sudy) [p. 8] 

This is Max Beckmann's "Male Portrait Study," quickly drawn with pen on paper. Though seemingly simple, the quick strokes of ink show a mastery of line, typical of academic training. The use of paper, a relatively cheap and readily available material, speaks to the role of drawing as a fundamental tool in an artist's practice, somewhere between design and 'high' art. The quality of line, its varying weight and intensity, brings the portrait to life and imbues the artwork with social and cultural significance. Beckmann, known for his expressionist style, used the immediacy of the ink to capture the essence of his sitter, the fleeting impression of their presence. The artist, like other masters, reminds us that even the humblest of materials can become a vehicle for powerful expression. By focusing on materials, making, and context we broaden our understanding of art, and challenge divisions between craft and fine art.