Beckmann Sketchbook 36 1924 - 1925

This is Max Beckmann’s Sketchbook 36, made with humble paper and ink. For me, this isn’t just any old sketchbook, it's a window into the artist's mind. You can see that beautiful, aged cover, with all its imperfections. It's like a roadmap of Beckmann's thoughts, right? Those stains and smudges aren't mistakes; they're part of the process. They show how Beckmann engaged with his materials, how he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. This is something I find incredibly exciting. Look at the red lined label, slightly askew and worn. It feels so vulnerable, so human. It reminds me of the quiet, introspective moments in Philip Guston's late work, where the personal and the political collide. Beckmann, like Guston, invites us to embrace the messiness of art and life, to find beauty in the imperfect, and to revel in the ongoing conversation between artists across time.