sich kämmende Frau in Wäsche (Woman in a Corset Combing Her Hair) [p. 55] 1927

Here we see a sketch by German artist Max Beckmann, titled 'Woman in a Corset Combing Her Hair'. Beckmann lived through both World Wars, an experience that profoundly shaped his artistic vision. This sketch offers a glimpse into the world of women and beauty ideals of the early 20th century. The corset, a symbol of both constraint and allure, emphasizes the era's complex relationship with the female body. What does it mean to depict a woman in this intimate moment? Beckmann’s rough lines convey a sense of immediacy, capturing a private moment in a public medium. The woman's posture is one of vulnerability, her back exposed as she attends to her hair. In this, Beckmann invites us to consider the performative nature of femininity. The sketch reflects societal expectations, but also hints at the internal lives of women navigating these norms. It reminds us that even in moments of self-care, the weight of societal expectations can be felt.