weibliche Bildnisstudie (Female Portrait) [p. 13] 

Max Beckmann created this sketch, "Female Portrait," using graphite on paper. This simple, but evocative study exists in a cultural context where the representation of women was often dictated by male artists. Beckmann lived through two World Wars and his art often reflects the anxiety of the interwar years. The woman in this portrait has a direct gaze, which challenges traditional passive representations of women. The sketch captures a moment of contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the inner life and experiences of the sitter. In the 1920s, the ‘New Woman’ emerged, and this portrait may reflect a shift towards depicting women as more independent and self-aware. Beckmann once said, "Art is not a means to an end, but an end in itself." This study emphasizes the aesthetic and emotional experience of the portrait, rather than focusing on societal expectations. It gives us access to a subjective experience, shaped by the woman’s identity and the historical moment in which it was captured.