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

Fritz Mackensen (1866 - 1953)
Fritz Mackensen
1866 - 1953
Andreas Reimann (1946)
Andreas Reimann
1946
Anton Raphael Mengs (1728 - 1779)
Anton Raphael Mengs
1728 - 1779
Hans Deiker (1876 - 1945)
Hans Deiker
1876 - 1945
Hans Hubert Hans Hubert (1880 - 1926)
Hans Hubert Hans Hubert
1880 - 1926
Friedrich Martersteig (1814 - 1899)
Friedrich Martersteig
1814 - 1899
Michel Erhart (1440 - 1522)
Michel Erhart
1440 - 1522
Rudolf Jacobi (1889 - 1972)
Rudolf Jacobi
1889 - 1972
Arthur Siebelist (1870 - 1945)
Arthur Siebelist
1870 - 1945
Wolfram Beck (1930 - 2004)
Wolfram Beck
1930 - 2004
Reinhold Goelles (1960)
Reinhold Goelles
1960
Lorenz Strauch (1554 - 1636)
Lorenz Strauch
1554 - 1636
Heinrich Giebel (1865 - 1951)
Heinrich Giebel
1865 - 1951
Johann Halbig (1814 - 1882)
Johann Halbig
1814 - 1882
Martin Wiegand (1867 - 1961)
Martin Wiegand
1867 - 1961
Hans Sperschneider (1928 - 1995)
Hans Sperschneider
1928 - 1995

Creators Cubism

Nathan Isaiovych Altman (1889 - 1970)
Nathan Isaiovych Altman
1889 - 1970
Aleksandra Povòrina (1885 - 1963)
Aleksandra Povòrina
1885 - 1963
Jasun Martz (1953)
Jasun Martz
1953
Gaganendranath Tagore (1867 - 1938)
Gaganendranath Tagore
1867 - 1938
Emma Ilyinichna Gurovich (1899 - 1980)
Emma Ilyinichna Gurovich
1899 - 1980
Otto van Rees (1884 - 1957)
Otto van Rees
1884 - 1957
Ivon Hitchens (1893 - 1979)
Ivon Hitchens
1893 - 1979
Otto Modersohn (1865 - 1943)
Otto Modersohn
1865 - 1943
Hans Kinder (1900 - 1986)
Hans Kinder
1900 - 1986
Heinrich Ehmsen (1886 - 1964)
Heinrich Ehmsen
1886 - 1964
Franz Marc (1880 - 1916)
Franz Marc
1880 - 1916
Carl Orff (1895 - 1982)
Carl Orff
1895 - 1982
Aaron Curry (1972)
Aaron Curry
1972
Edvard Frank (1909 - 1972)
Edvard Frank
1909 - 1972
Georg Tappert (1880 - 1957)
Georg Tappert
1880 - 1957
Otto Gutfreund (1889 - 1927)
Otto Gutfreund
1889 - 1927