Beckmann Sketchbook 21

1918-1922

Max Beckmann

Associated Names
Max Beckmann

Artist, German, 1884 - 1950

This is a photograph of a black cover, likely from a notebook or book. The cover appears worn and aged, with scuff marks, scratches, creases, and frayed edges. There is a horizontal crease near the top right and a scuff mark towards the bottom right. The underlying material color seems to be a light brown or beige. The texture of the cover is rough with a matte finish. The cover has a vintage or well-used appearance.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    sketchbook with 27 sketches in graphite and charcoal on graph paper. Notations are in graphite, pen with blue or brown ink, and purple colored pencil.

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Max Beckmann

  • Dimensions

    book: 15.8 x 10.5 x 8 cm (6 1/4 x 4 1/8 x 3 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1984.64.47.1-27

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Zeiller/Presler 2010, 500-525

Associated Artworks

See all 27 artworks
The image consists of pencil sketches on a grid-lined page. The shapes created by curving and diagonal lines suggest abstract human figures. One central shape resembles a figure holding a long object similar to a trumpet. Other shapes around it depict various postures, potentially implying a gathering or performance. The grid lines on the page provide a structured background for the abstract figures.

Mehrfigurige Kompositionsskizze (Figural Composition) [p. 9]

Max Beckmann

1918

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.

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

Max Beckmann

1918

The image features an abstract arrangement of lines and shapes drawn in pencil on a grid-patterned background. The lines swirl and intersect in a chaotic manner, creating forms with no distinct objects but rather a sense of movement and energy.

Mehrfigurige Kompositionsskizze (Figural Composition) [p. 11]

Max Beckmann

1915

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: 500-525.

Inscriptions

Some of the sketches are dated. There are undeciphered inscriptions on pages 1, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 19 in addition to the 21 pages of pure notation [not deciphered].

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