weibliches Gesicht (Woman's Face) [p. 25] 

Editor: This drawing by Max Beckmann, titled *weibliches Gesicht* or *Woman's Face*, appears to be a pencil sketch on paper. It feels almost unfinished, like a fleeting thought. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It's important to view this drawing within the context of German Expressionism, which was deeply affected by the sociopolitical tensions leading up to and following World War I. Beckmann, a veteran himself, witnessed firsthand the horrors of war. This, I believe, shaped his portrayal of humanity. This woman’s face, although just a sketch, conveys a certain weariness. Does it evoke that for you? Editor: Yes, the downward gaze and almost skeletal lines give that impression. Is this typical of the way German Expressionists were depicting figures at this time? Curator: Precisely. Artists during this period often distorted or exaggerated features to express intense emotions and psychological states. These choices can be read as a visual outcry against social injustices and the dehumanizing effects of war. Also, remember that Beckmann saw this as something he was jotting down in a sketch book -- so he probably never envisioned this getting the audience that it eventually received in a museum setting. How do you think knowing that affects your perception of it? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about its initial intended purpose. It almost makes it more vulnerable. Now I'm thinking about the art world, and the politics of display... Curator: Indeed. This drawing's journey – from private sketchbook to public display – profoundly impacts how we engage with its raw emotion. I'm glad this process opened up that avenue for exploration. Editor: Absolutely! I’ll definitely look at Expressionist art differently now. Thanks.