Interieur mit Liegendem (Interior with Reclining Figure) [p. 9] 

This graphite drawing by Max Beckmann presents a scene dominated by a reclining figure. Beckmann masterfully uses light and shadow to invoke a sense of introspection, a psychological space where the figure confronts their inner world. Note the heavy lines suggesting confinement, almost as if the figure is trapped within the interior space and their own psyche. The bars of what appears to be a window echo motifs of imprisonment found in earlier works, such as Delacroix’s studies of caged figures, where physical constraint mirrors emotional and psychological states. Consider how this symbol of confinement has evolved: from literal imprisonment to a metaphor for the human condition, resonating with existential themes of isolation and alienation. The psychological weight of this image lies in its ability to tap into our collective memories of constraint, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical progression of these symbols highlights their enduring presence in the human psyche, reappearing, evolving, and taking on new meanings across different historical contexts.