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

Simon Lissim (1900 - 1981)
Simon Lissim
1900 - 1981
Ulf Petermann (1950)
Ulf Petermann
1950
Friedrich Otto Gebler (1838 - 1917)
Friedrich Otto Gebler
1838 - 1917
David Lüders (1710 - 1759)
David Lüders
1710 - 1759
Carl August Kessler (1788 - 1862)
Carl August Kessler
1788 - 1862
Fritz L'Alleman (1812 - 1866)
Fritz L'Alleman
1812 - 1866
Michael Irmer (1955 - 1996)
Michael Irmer
1955 - 1996
Walter Bertelsmann (1877 - 1963)
Walter Bertelsmann
1877 - 1963
Antoine Pesne (1683 - 1757)
Antoine Pesne
1683 - 1757
Friedrich Gottlob Hayne (1763 - 1832)
Friedrich Gottlob Hayne
1763 - 1832
Kseniya Leonidovna Boguslavskaya (1892 - 1972)
Kseniya Leonidovna Boguslavskaya
1892 - 1972
Peppi Bottrop (1986)
Peppi Bottrop
1986
Carl Ernst Forberg (1844 - 1915)
Carl Ernst Forberg
1844 - 1915
Günter Fruhtrunk (1923 - 1982)
Günter Fruhtrunk
1923 - 1982
Franz Hitzler (1946)
Franz Hitzler
1946
Guido Hampe (1839 - 1902)
Guido Hampe
1839 - 1902

Creators Cubism

Eugeen van Mieghem (1875 - 1930)
Eugeen van Mieghem
1875 - 1930
Josef Váchal (1884 - 1969)
Josef Váchal
1884 - 1969
Nadezhda Andreevna Udaltsova (1885 - 1961)
Nadezhda Andreevna Udaltsova
1885 - 1961
Kurt Lewy (1898 - 1963)
Kurt Lewy
1898 - 1963
Lisel Oppel (1897 - 1960)
Lisel Oppel
1897 - 1960
LeRoy Neiman (1921 - 2012)
LeRoy Neiman
1921 - 2012
Maria Caspar-Filser (1878 - 1968)
Maria Caspar-Filser
1878 - 1968
Talia Flora-Caravia (1871 - 1960)
Talia Flora-Caravia
1871 - 1960
Alexey Vasilievich Kamensky (1927 - 2014)
Alexey Vasilievich Kamensky
1927 - 2014
Konstantin Medunetsky (1899 - 1935)
Konstantin Medunetsky
1899 - 1935
Leon Golub (1922 - 2004)
Leon Golub
1922 - 2004
Wäinö Waldemar Aaltonen (1894 - 1966)
Wäinö Waldemar Aaltonen
1894 - 1966
Anton Lamazares (1954)
Anton Lamazares
1954
Walter Becker (1893 - 1984)
Walter Becker
1893 - 1984
Kseniya Leonidovna Boguslavskaya (1892 - 1972)
Kseniya Leonidovna Boguslavskaya
1892 - 1972
Manfred Dinnes (1950 - 2012)
Manfred Dinnes
1950 - 2012
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