Max Beckmann, der überragende deutsche Maler der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jhdts., blieb figürlich-gegenständlich als andere sich dem Abstrakten zuwendeten. Gleichwohl brach er mit Konventionen und vieles verbindet ihn über das Absurde, die Gewalt und die Katastrophen mit den Expressionisten und Surrealisten: Max Beckmann malt eine aus den Fugen geratene Welt - und die menschliche Existenz inmitten dieser. - Der (erschwingliche) Band bietet präzise Texteinführungen und hochwertige Bildreproduktionen, die sich insgesamt zu einer gelungenen Einführung in das Werk Max Beckmanns verdichten.

Thomas Bernhard für lehrerbibliothek.de

Max Beckmann (1884-1950) found his central theme in the loneliness of twentieth-century man, threatened by catastrophe and torn between materialism and freedom of mind and spirit. His early pictures showed the influence of Impressionism, with a preponderance of biblical, historical, and allegorical themes. The first world war made a deep impression on him: somewhere between Expressionism and Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity), the succinct forms and hard contours in his memorable paintings and graphic works showed man at the limit of physical and mental endurance. Later, the harshness and severity of his style softened and his colours became more radiant, but the monumentality remained. Theatre, circus, and music hall became parables of human existence.

Beckmann's work is concerned with the fundamental conditions of human existence and the tragic entanglement of the human being dependant on the whims of gods, sexuality, and society. His relentless search for knowledge, his uncompromising commitment to the picture, and his belief in the power of its form and color give his work its distinctive, fascinating character, and have earned him a high-ranking place among the artists of the twentieth century.

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