Spitze einer Straßenlaterne, zu .013 gehörend (Top of a Lamppost, belonging to .013) [p. 34] 

Curator: This drawing is by Max Beckmann. The title is "Spitze einer Strassenlaterne, zu .013 gehorend," which translates to "Top of a Lamppost, belonging to .013." It's a pencil drawing on paper. Editor: Huh. It's just a quick sketch, but immediately, I get this feeling of urban loneliness. That lone lamppost...it's watching over something, maybe waiting? Curator: Precisely. Note the formal composition, the lines—varied in weight—intersect to create a visually arresting structure. The geometrical shapes evoke a sense of urban space without resorting to realistic depiction. Semiotically, the lamppost signifies both illumination and surveillance. Editor: Surveillance! Right. There's a touch of paranoia there too. I like that you mention the weight of the lines, the bold ones are really doing something to that top area. Is that the light itself represented in abstract form? It's as if Beckmann is showing us not just the object, but the feeling *around* it. Curator: A valid interpretation. The linework serves to deconstruct the lamppost into its essential components, it almost verges into pure abstraction. This fragmentation is characteristic of early modernism’s rejection of traditional representational modes. It demands active engagement, prompting the viewer to question their perception of reality. Editor: Makes you wonder where it's placed. Some bleak industrial yard or something, probably near the artist’s place. What secrets has it witnessed? I suppose everything does come down to a feeling doesn't it... It could probably mean lots of things. Curator: Feeling does indeed serve as a crucial entry point. A phenomenological approach acknowledges the viewer's subjective experience, while still remaining cognizant of the artwork's objective qualities and their intricate interplay. Thank you for lending me a new perspective on this Beckmann piece! Editor: Thank *you*. All the signs point towards the lamp post, so what is illuminated *for* me? Maybe an insight into the creative process itself...It's fascinating!