weibliche Figur mit Kopftuch und Profil im Hintergrund (Forlorn Figure with Headscarf and Profile) [p. 9] 

Max Beckmann created this forlorn figure, with headscarf and profile in the background, using graphite on paper. This simple medium allows us to focus on the stark lines and the emotional weight they carry. The drawing's power resides in the immediacy of its creation. Beckmann likely used quick, gestural marks to capture the essence of his subject. Look closely at the textures he creates with the pencil; the shading on the face and headscarf contrasts with the lightly sketched background profile. The very act of drawing, a process so direct and unfiltered, mirrors the raw emotion conveyed in the figure's expression. Graphite, though unassuming, has long been a tool for artists to explore and express ideas. Its accessibility makes it democratic, yet in the hands of a master like Beckmann, it becomes a powerful vehicle for social and personal commentary. The work involved here isn't about laborious detail, but rather a focused intensity of perception. By understanding the materials and processes behind this drawing, we appreciate how Beckmann elevates a simple sketch into a profound statement.