Provenance

Mrs. Max Beckmann

Beckmann, Mathilde Q.
Kaulbach, Mathilda

German, 1904 - 1986

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Max Beckmann, The Argonauts [right panel], 1949/1950, oil on canvas, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1975.96.1.c

The Argonauts [right panel]

Max Beckmann · 1949/1950 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1975.96.1.c

Max Beckmann, The Argonauts [middle panel], 1949/1950, oil on canvas, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1975.96.1.b

The Argonauts [middle panel]

Max Beckmann · 1949/1950 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1975.96.1.b

This vertical painting depicts two people creating art. In the background, a male figure with light skin and brown hair faces the right, leaning towards a large blank canvas and holding a paintbrush and a palette. He wears a short-sleeved shirt with checkered patterns. In front of him, a female figure sits atop what appears to be a pale-yellow helmet, her body facing the left and her head turned away from us. She has light, pink-toned skin and dark hair put up in a bun. Her torso is nude, and she has a red cloth wrapped around her left arm. Her legs are mostly bare aside from a short green garment and high yellow sandals. In her hands, she holds a long blue sword. There is a small potted plant in the bottom left corner, and the background is in muted tones of light gray.
Max Beckmann, The Argonauts [left panel], 1949/1950, oil on canvas, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1975.96.1.a

The Argonauts [left panel]

Max Beckmann · 1949/1950 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1975.96.1.a

This painting contains three panels showing scenes of people, painted with bold, angular lines and shapes. In the first panel on the far left, a mostly nude woman holding a sword-like object sits opposite a man with a palette. He stands in front of a large canvas and appears to be painting the woman. The middle panel features three people, one holding a ladder and another holding what appears to be a large bird, with the third person standing in front of them and facing away from us. Two of the people are nude and the third wears only pants. The rightmost panel portrays individuals surrounded by musical instruments, including a stringed instrument held by one person and a sheet of music in another's hand. All three panels are painted with bold, thick lines, and shades of light pink, purple, and gray dominate the piece, with areas of purple, green, and light blue.
Max Beckmann, The Argonauts, 1949/1950, oil on canvas, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1975.96.1.a-c

The Argonauts

Max Beckmann · 1949/1950 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1975.96.1.a-c

The image contains overlapping lines and shapes arranged in a dynamic crisscross pattern that divides the space into four sections with a large X-shape in the center. The composition resembles a mixture of architectural elements and handwritten notes. In the top right section, there are forms that hint at the outline of traditional building facades with columns, while the left side contains scribbles and circular shapes. The overall impression is of sketches or notes superimposed on one another, conveying complexity and movement.
Max Beckmann, Landscape on Envelope, 1938, pen with black ink, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1984.64.103

Landscape on Envelope

Max Beckmann · 1938 · pen with black ink ·  Accession ID  1984.64.103

The image shows a sketch of a woman seated in a profile position. She is leaning forward as if engaged in reading or holding an object. The woman has soft facial features, an updo hairstyle, and is wearing a dress with a low neckline adorned with lace or decorative patterns. She is wearing an earring on her left ear. The background is a plain surface with inscriptions, giving the artwork a vintage look. The sketch is done in pencil or ink on a slightly torn paper.
Max Beckmann, Seated Woman Reading, graphite and pen with grey and dark green ink on hotel stationary, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1984.64.95

Seated Woman Reading

Max Beckmann · · graphite and pen with grey and dark green ink on hotel stationary ·  Accession ID  1984.64.95

The image shows a notebook page with a grid pattern and an abstract pencil sketch that seems to be upside down. The sketch includes curves and intersecting lines that resemble organic forms, possibly leaves or abstract flowers. The shapes are loosely outlined, appearing fluid and dynamic. Some elements may suggest objects like a hat or floral patterns, but the drawing overall remains abstract. Faint handwriting above the sketch adds to the abstract nature of the page.
Max Beckmann, Bezeichnete Skizze mit zwei sitzende Figuren (Two Seated Figures) [p. 10], 1918/1919, graphite on graph paper, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1984.64.47.2

Bezeichnete Skizze mit zwei sitzende Figuren (Two Seated Figures) [p. 10]

Max Beckmann · 1918/1919 · graphite on graph paper ·  Accession ID  1984.64.47.2

The image features an abstract arrangement of lines and shapes on a piece of lined paper. On the left, there is a figure composed of angular lines. On the right, there is a cluster of elongated and intertwining lines forming a scene with one centrally positioned figure surrounded by other shapes. At the bottom right, there are curved lines and circular forms. The drawing utilizes abstract shapes to suggest familiar figures and objects within its sketchy lines.
Max Beckmann, Das Goldene Bergwerk, 1937, pen and sepia and blue ink on lined paper, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1984.64.106

Das Goldene Bergwerk

Max Beckmann · 1937 · pen and sepia and blue ink on lined paper ·  Accession ID  1984.64.106

The image shows a sketch on a grid-lined notebook page. The structure in the sketch features vertical and horizontal lines, suggesting columns and architectural elements, with a dome-like shape to the right. The sketch is in pencil on a beige notebook page. The lines are loose and quick, without detailed precision. The grid of the notebook is visible throughout the drawing. The horizon line is not clearly defined, as the sketch captures only part of the structure.
Max Beckmann, Synagoge am Börneplatz (Synagogue at Börneplatz) [p. 52], 1918/1919, graphite on graph paper, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1984.64.47.20

Synagoge am Börneplatz (Synagogue at Börneplatz) [p. 52]

Max Beckmann · 1918/1919 · graphite on graph paper ·  Accession ID  1984.64.47.20

The image shows a sketch of the upper torsos and heads of two women. The main subject in the foreground is facing forward with her face turned slightly to the left. Her facial features are defined with deep-set eyes, a pronounced nose, and a serious expression. She wears a large hat, shaded with cross-hatching, that sits diagonally on her head, concealing much of her hair. Her hand is visible, raised to her lower face or chin. Behind her, slightly to the right, is another woman, whose face is partially visible. Her expression is more neutral, and she also wears a hat. There are no detailed clothing items visible aside from hints of fabric around the necks. The background is blank with no distinct objects.
Max Beckmann, Weeping Woman (Weinende Frau), 1914, drypoint in black, Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann, 1984.64.9

Weeping Woman (Weinende Frau)

Max Beckmann · 1914 · drypoint in black ·  Accession ID  1984.64.9

Bibliography

1983

  • Beckmann, Mathilda. My Life with Max Beckmann. 1983

1986

  • New York Times. 4 April 1986 [obituary]

1993

  • Schneede, Uwe W. Max Beckmann Briefe I (1899-1925).

1996

  • Selz, Peter. "Max Beckmann." New York, 1996