Frau auf einer Leiter (Woman on a Ladder) [p. 27]

1944-1949

Max Beckmann

Associated Names
Max Beckmann

Artist, German, 1884 - 1950

The image shows an abstract drawing of two human figures. One figure on the left is standing with one arm raised and the head turned away, wearing a long dress with scribbled textures. The other figure on the right, partially shown, faces the first figure, wearing a checkered-patterned garment. Both figures have elongated limbs and simplified facial features, with basic hair indications. They are placed in an abstract environment, possibly a stage or platform, with sketch lines suggesting steps or a ladder. The drawing is done in blue ink on an off-white page and is signed at the bottom, showcasing a distinctive artistic style. The background is plain, emphasizing the figures.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and blue ink with graphite on paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann

  • Dimensions

    book: 20.7 x 16.3 x 1 cm (8 1/8 x 6 7/16 x 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1984.64.38.11

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Zeiller/Presler 2010, no. 15r

Associated Artworks

See all 28 artworks
The image consists of loosely drawn lines and shapes, including zigzag patterns, circular forms, and rectangular blocks. The composition may evoke familiar objects like a figure amid a chaotic environment with walls or barriers created by the zigzag lines. The round shapes resemble heads or spherical objects, while the rectangular shapes suggest building blocks or furniture. This abstract arrangement invites interpretation with connections to scenes of everyday life.

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

Max Beckmann

1944

This is a photograph of a blank page in a sketchbook. The image shows a plain, off-white sheet of paper within a sketchbook. In the top right corner, there is a handwritten note in ink that reads "Sketchbook No 25." The page appears slightly aged with minor spots and creases, and the horizontal edges of the sketchbook are visible, with a hint of a blue cover on the left edge. The composition emphasizes the simplicity of an untouched canvas.

Beckmann Sketchbook 51

Max Beckmann

1944

The image displays a hand-drawn sketch of a person's head and partial face. The drawing is a minimalistic pencil outline on an off-white piece of paper. The head is in left profile, upside down. It includes an outlined nose, partially visible eye, eyebrow, and ear. The hair is represented with scribbled lines for a curly texture at the back. The sketch is on a blank background, with page texture visible at the edges. There are no other elements in the image.

männliche Bildnisstudie (Male Profile) [p. 12]

Max Beckmann

1944

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mrs. Max Beckmann, Peoria; gift to NGA, 1984.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2010

  • Zeiller, Christiane, Gerd Presler.Max Beckmann : die Skizzenbücher = the sketchbooks. II. Ostifildern, 2010: 891, no. 15r

Inscriptions

not deciphered

Wikidata ID

Q64610605

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