Skizze mit 9 Einzelszenen (Nine Vignettes in a Grid) [p. 32] 

Max Beckmann created this ink sketch titled "Nine Vignettes in a Grid" on a page from a sketchbook. Beckmann, who lived through both World Wars, often depicted the social and political turmoil of his time in his work. The scenes here are frenetic, full of disarray and confusion. While the grid format might suggest order, the images resist any clear narrative. This tension embodies the fractured experience of modern life in the early to mid-20th century. Beckmann’s work is also deeply personal. He once said, "I try to find the bridge which leads from the visible to the invisible." Here, the raw, expressive lines convey intense emotional states, inviting us to contemplate the unseen forces that shape our lives. Consider how the vulnerability of the human figure is laid bare, reflecting a world that often feels precarious and disjointed. It speaks to the search for meaning in a world marked by chaos and uncertainty.