zwei Figuren in einer Loge (Two People in Box Seats) [p. 47] 

Max Beckmann made this pen and ink drawing of two figures in a box seat as part of a sketchbook of thirteen leaves. Here, we see a glimpse into the world of leisure and social hierarchy, rendered in Beckmann's characteristic style. The image depicts two individuals in what appears to be a theatre box, a space traditionally reserved for the upper classes. The scene evokes questions about spectatorship, privilege, and the gaze. Made in Germany, the drawing invites us to consider the cultural and social dynamics of the time, particularly the stark class divisions and the role of entertainment in reflecting and reinforcing those structures. The opera, or theater, was a place where one went to see and be seen. By researching Beckmann's biography, the social history of early 20th-century Germany, and the cultural politics of the art world, we can better understand what this drawing is communicating to us about art, social status, and the ways in which these are intertwined.