Falling Man 1950

"Falling Man" (1950), by German Expressionist painter Max Beckmann, depicts a nude figure plummeting headfirst through a surreal, multi-layered landscape. The figure's contorted body and frantic gesture create a sense of urgency and despair, reflecting Beckmann's own anxieties after fleeing Nazi Germany. The fragmented composition, with its jarring juxtaposition of architectural elements, a fiery building, and fantastical figures, evokes a sense of chaos and alienation. Beckmann's signature bold colors and thick brushstrokes enhance the dramatic impact of this unsettling masterpiece.