Crucifixion, illustration for Dostoyevsky's "The Convicts' Bath," in "Kunst und Künstler" (1913) 1912

Editor: This is Max Beckmann’s "Crucifixion," an illustration from 1913. It feels incredibly raw, the rough lines almost like exposed nerves. What stands out to you about its production? Curator: Notice the printmaking process. Its emphasis suggests a mass-produced quality, aligning it with the industrialized era and challenging the preciousness of unique artworks. How does this relate to the social commentary it offers? Editor: It makes you think about how suffering can be mass-produced, in a way, or widely experienced. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Exactly! It highlights the artist’s labor and the socio-economic context in which it was created, thus expanding its potential interpretations.