Elefant (Elephant) [p. 23] 

Max Beckmann created this sketch of an elephant with pencil on paper. The drawing is dominated by the fluid lines which define the elephant's form, capturing its massive yet gentle presence. The composition, though simple, conveys a sense of the animal's weight and texture. Beckmann's approach here is fascinating because it deconstructs the traditional representation of form. The sketch destabilizes our expectations, challenging fixed ideas about how we perceive and categorize the world. It offers a semiotic system where the elephant is not just an animal, but a signifier of something more. The lines create a visual code that demands interpretation. Beckmann prompts us to reconsider how we assign meaning and value in our observations, and what makes this piece so compelling is its ability to engage in philosophical discourse through simple lines.