Katze (Cat) [p. 17] 

Max Beckmann made this drawing of a cat with graphite on paper. The immediacy of the medium is critical here. Graphite allows for quick and direct mark-making, capturing fleeting observations. The artist could easily carry a sketchbook and pencil, recording his thoughts without the constraints of a studio setting. Notice the lines. Some are tentative, almost exploratory, while others are firm and decisive, defining the cat’s form with a striking, angular quality. This directness lends the drawing a sense of authenticity, a glimpse into the artist's process of seeing and interpreting the world. It's tempting to think about what the drawing meant to Beckmann. Was he interested in the cat's physical form? Or, did the animal represent something more symbolic? Either way, this sketch is a testament to the power of simple materials, and the way that process can bring us closer to an artist’s intention. It blurs the line between a preliminary study, and a finished work of art.