Weiblicher Halbakt (Nude Torso) [p. 15] 

Editor: This drawing, "Weiblicher Halbakt" or "Nude Torso" by Max Beckmann, done with pencil, strikes me as unfinished, almost anxious, with its chaotic, overlapping lines. What speaks to you in this sketch? Curator: Immediately, I notice the relationship between labor and the artistic product. Beckmann's choice of pencil—a readily available, mass-produced tool—democratizes the artistic process. How does the ease and accessibility of the medium influence the subject itself? A traditional, academic nude, reworked through Expressionist mark-making? Editor: That’s interesting – the accessibility of the pencil sort of clashes with the traditional subject matter. Are you saying the medium changes how we view the nude? Curator: Precisely! The visible effort—the pressure and speed of the pencil strokes—reflects a certain immediacy, possibly even a sense of urgency related to production, and therefore subverts any romantic ideals associated with traditional nudes. Editor: It's almost like the process is as important as the image itself. Do you think the material and process here are critical to understanding Expressionism? Curator: Absolutely. Expressionism often seeks to externalize inner states, and the visible struggle within the marks serves this purpose. Consider the cheapness of the paper; the artist is working in times where he might not be able to find high grade art supplies. Do you notice how the cheap material informs your experience of viewing this drawing? Editor: I guess it does, it adds a layer of vulnerability to the artwork. Thank you for your time and expertise! I learned so much about viewing drawings through a different lens. Curator: My pleasure! Thinking through materiality can open unexpected avenues of interpretation.