Skizze, "Fest in der Wüste" (Sketch of "Festival in the Desert") [p. 27] 

Max Beckmann sketched "Festival in the Desert," using crayon. The initial impression is one of layered, loosely defined shapes that coalesce within a confined space. The composition is dominated by dynamic lines and forms suggestive of figures, objects, and perhaps architectural elements. Beckmann's use of rudimentary shapes invites us to decode the sketch's underlying structure. It could be argued that these shapes operate as signifiers within a semiotic system, each suggesting a fragmented aspect of the desert festival. The sketch challenges established meanings, reflecting Beckmann's broader artistic concerns. Notice the spatial tension created by the composition. It destabilizes traditional perspective, and it encourages multiple interpretations. Ultimately, "Festival in the Desert" remains a site of ongoing interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with its aesthetic and philosophical dimensions.