Kinderen spelen op straat 1918 - 1919

Max Beckmann made this etching, using black ink, called 'Children playing in the street.' I can imagine Beckmann looking at what was in front of him and drawing the observed world but something else as well: memory, and emotion. The marks are jagged, scratchy, and full of energy. They capture the movement and chaos of children at play, while also suggesting something darker beneath the surface. There is a sense of urgency in the lines, as if Beckmann was trying to capture a fleeting moment before it disappeared. The children carry sticks and shields as weapons and wear vacant expressions. There is a sense of aggression, which may reflect Beckmann's own experiences with war and violence. But there is also a sense of playfulness, as if the children are simply acting out their fantasies. The overall effect is one of ambiguity and uncertainty. And just like Philip Guston, Beckmann reminds us that artists are in an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas, inspiring one another's creativity.