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

Heinz Heinrichs (1886 - 1957)
Heinz Heinrichs
1886 - 1957
Johann Heinrich Tischbein (1722 - 1789)
Johann Heinrich Tischbein
1722 - 1789
Irene Muller (1941)
Irene Muller
1941
Detlef Birgfeld (1937)
Detlef Birgfeld
1937
Martine Seibert-Raken (1965)
Martine Seibert-Raken
1965
Franz Ludwig Reichsgraf von Kesselstadt (1753 - 1841)
Franz Ludwig Reichsgraf von Kesselstadt
1753 - 1841
Oskar Nerlinger (1893 - 1969)
Oskar Nerlinger
1893 - 1969
Crescentius Josephus Johannes Seydelmann (1750 - 1829)
Crescentius Josephus Johannes Seydelmann
1750 - 1829
Walter Schulz-Matan (1889 - 1965)
Walter Schulz-Matan
1889 - 1965
Matthias Weischer (1973)
Matthias Weischer
1973
Ciro Beltrán (1967)
Ciro Beltrán
1967
Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764 - 1850)
Johann Gottfried Schadow
1764 - 1850
Meike Lipp (1955)
Meike Lipp
1955
Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Geist (1870 - 1931)
Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Geist
1870 - 1931
Cyrus Overbeck (1970)
Cyrus Overbeck
1970
August Weber (1817 - 1873)
August Weber
1817 - 1873

Creators Cubism

Hermann Huber (1888 - 1967)
Hermann Huber
1888 - 1967
Christian Bérard (1902 - 1949)
Christian Bérard
1902 - 1949
Wilhelm Heise (1892 - 1965)
Wilhelm Heise
1892 - 1965
Franz Theodor Schütt (1908 - 1990)
Franz Theodor Schütt
1908 - 1990
Zhao Chunxiang (1910 - 1991)
Zhao Chunxiang
1910 - 1991
Friedrich G. Scheuer (1936)
Friedrich G. Scheuer
1936
Mary Swanzy (1882 - 1978)
Mary Swanzy
1882 - 1978
Rudolf Kuhlmann (1901 - 1976)
Rudolf Kuhlmann
1901 - 1976
Peter Hirsch (1889 - 1978)
Peter Hirsch
1889 - 1978
Dieter Noss (1947)
Dieter Noss
1947
Vasily Nikolaevich Chekrygin (1897 - 1922)
Vasily Nikolaevich Chekrygin
1897 - 1922
Cornelius Bosch (1956 - 2011)
Cornelius Bosch
1956 - 2011
Carl Johann Rabus (1898 - 1983)
Carl Johann Rabus
1898 - 1983
Luciano Castelli (1951)
Luciano Castelli
1951
Alberto Giacometti (1901 - 1966)
Alberto Giacometti
1901 - 1966
Johannes Sack (1890 - 1958)
Johannes Sack
1890 - 1958
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