Max Beckmann (1884 - 1950) - photo 1

Max Beckmann

Max Beckmann, a German painter, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, stood out in the early 20th century for his profound contributions to modern art. Beckmann's career spanned a tumultuous period in history, deeply influencing his thematic and stylistic choices. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced non-representational painting, Max Beckmann persisted with and evolved the tradition of figurative painting, drawing inspiration from a wide array of artists spanning from Cézanne and Van Gogh to medieval masters like Bosch and Bruegel​​.

Max Beckmann's experiences, particularly those related to the World Wars, significantly shaped his work. Following Adolf Hitler's rise to power and the subsequent condemnation of modern art as "degenerate," Beckmann fled Germany, spending a decade in self-imposed exile in Amsterdam before eventually relocating to the United States. His art from this period, especially his large triptychs, is considered some of his most potent, offering a stark reflection on humanity and the chaos of the times​​.

One of Max Beckmann's most personally allegorical works, "Beginning" (1949), encapsulates his knack for blending real and imagined elements from his life to comment on the broader human condition. This piece, alongside others, underscores Beckmann's enduring fascination with the existential struggles modern society faces, teetering between desire and societal roles​​.

Max Beckmann's legacy is cemented not just by his unique approach to modernism but also by his influence on subsequent generations of artists, particularly in the United States, where he spent his final years teaching and working. Despite a path that often diverged from the mainstream narratives of art history, Beckmann's work continues to resonate, housed in prestigious institutions like The Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York​​​​​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Max Beckmann's oeuvre offers a compelling exploration of 20th-century art and history. To stay informed about new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Max Beckmann, consider signing up for updates. This subscription ensures access to the latest opportunities to engage with the work of one of modernism's most individual voices.

Date and place of birt:12 february 1884, Leipzig, Germany
Date and place of death:27 december 1950, New York City, USA
Nationality:Germany, USA
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Graphic artist, Painter, Sculptor
Art school / group:Free secession
Genre:Genre art, Portrait
Art style:Cubism, Degenerate art, Expressionism

Creators Germany

Ludwig Vordermayer (1868 - 1933)
Ludwig Vordermayer
1868 - 1933
Hubert Berke (1908 - 1979)
Hubert Berke
1908 - 1979
Fritz Grebe (1850 - 1924)
Fritz Grebe
1850 - 1924
Giovanni Buonaventura Genelli (1798 - 1868)
Giovanni Buonaventura Genelli
1798 - 1868
Carl Philipp Fohr (1795 - 1818)
Carl Philipp Fohr
1795 - 1818
Hermann Plathner (1831 - 1902)
Hermann Plathner
1831 - 1902
Aldona Maria Gustas (1932 - 2022)
Aldona Maria Gustas
1932 - 2022
Godfrey Kneller (1646 - 1723)
Godfrey Kneller
1646 - 1723
Friedrich Preller II (1838 - 1901)
Friedrich Preller II
1838 - 1901
Rudolf Kurz (1952)
Rudolf Kurz
1952
Dolf Rieser (1898 - 1983)
Dolf Rieser
1898 - 1983
Johann Friedrich Boettger (1682 - 1719)
Johann Friedrich Boettger
1682 - 1719
Herman Pole (1831 - 1901)
Herman Pole
1831 - 1901
Karl Heffner (1849 - 1927)
Karl Heffner
1849 - 1927
Georg Engst (1930 - 2021)
Georg Engst
1930 - 2021
Wolfgang Kubach (1936 - 2007)
Wolfgang Kubach
1936 - 2007

Creators Cubism

Rudolf Hoflehner (1916 - 1995)
Rudolf Hoflehner
1916 - 1995
Anne Sicker-Schröer (1931 - 2023)
Anne Sicker-Schröer
1931 - 2023
Eduardo Afonso Viana (1881 - 1967)
Eduardo Afonso Viana
1881 - 1967
Ernst Vijlbrief (1935 - 2010)
Ernst Vijlbrief
1935 - 2010
Carlos Orozco Romero (1896 - 1984)
Carlos Orozco Romero
1896 - 1984
Jack Levine (1915 - 2010)
Jack Levine
1915 - 2010
Luis Feito Lopez (1929 - 2021)
Luis Feito Lopez
1929 - 2021
Vasily Nikolaevich Chekrygin (1897 - 1922)
Vasily Nikolaevich Chekrygin
1897 - 1922
Heinrich Vogeler (1872 - 1942)
Heinrich Vogeler
1872 - 1942
Sebastian Black (1985)
Sebastian Black
1985
Robert Colquhoun (1914 - 1962)
Robert Colquhoun
1914 - 1962
Achille Lucien Mauzan (1883 - 1952)
Achille Lucien Mauzan
1883 - 1952
Siegfried Berndt (1880 - 1946)
Siegfried Berndt
1880 - 1946
Walter Ofey (1882 - 1930)
Walter Ofey
1882 - 1930
Helmut Kolle (1899 - 1931)
Helmut Kolle
1899 - 1931
Hellmuth Mueller-Leutert (1892 - 1973)
Hellmuth Mueller-Leutert
1892 - 1973
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