Notizen (Notation) [p. 33] 

This page of notations was made by Max Beckmann with graphite on paper. As the title suggests, the artist uses the page to register his fleeting ideas, with a jotted composition above a list of abbreviated words, names, and numbers. The immediacy of the graphite allows for rapid and spontaneous mark-making, which imbues the artwork with energy. The quick, sketchy lines capture a sense of movement and dynamism, suggesting a scene teeming with energy and perhaps violence. The artist seems to have worked quickly, capturing the essence of the scene with minimal detail. The use of graphite also allows for easy editing and revision, as Beckmann could easily erase or adjust his lines. The written text appears to be notes for further compositions. In this case, the use of basic materials—graphite and paper—highlights the intimate connection between the artist's hand and the work itself. The simplicity of the materials allows us to focus on the artist's skill and vision, appreciating the value of the everyday, the unpretentious, and the immediate.