Interieur mit zwei Figuren (Interior with Two Figures) [p. 11] 1944 - 1949

Max Beckmann’s sketch, "Interior with Two Figures," presents a study in spatial dynamics and form. Predominantly linear, the composition uses a network of strokes to define figures and their environment. The immediate impression is one of spatial ambiguity, where planes intersect and overlap without clear distinction, challenging traditional perspective. Beckmann employs line to create a sense of depth and structure, yet this structure remains fragmented. We see hatching that suggests shadow and volume, but the overall effect is to flatten the pictorial space. The figures themselves are defined by stark outlines, their forms simplified to basic shapes. This fracturing of space and form aligns with broader artistic concerns of the early 20th century, particularly the desire to destabilize conventional modes of representation. Through its formal structure, the sketch hints at a world that is not stable or easily knowable. It reflects the philosophical shifts in the era that questioned fixed meanings. In essence, the work invites viewers to engage actively in constructing their own interpretation.