bärtiger Mann (Bearded Head) [p. 14] 

Max Beckmann made this sketch of a bearded man with pen on paper. Beckmann, who lived through both World Wars, often used his art to respond to the socio-political turmoil of his time, critiquing institutions and societal norms. His work is full of historical associations. The stark lines and somewhat grotesque features of the man's face evoke the visual language of German Expressionism, a movement that sought to capture the raw emotional experiences of early 20th-century life, often as a form of social protest. Given that this drawing was found on page 14 of a sketchbook, it could have been made during a time of upheaval in Germany, reflecting Beckmann's personal feelings and artistic responses to the world around him. Historians use a range of resources, including personal letters and exhibition reviews, to better understand art. The meaning of this sketch is contingent on the turbulent social context of the time and Beckmann’s institutional engagement as an artist.