Max Beckmann

Date of Birth: February 12, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: December 27, 1950

Biography

Max Beckmann was a notable German painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, born on February 12, 1884, in Leipzig, Germany. He is best known for his expressive style and his critical exploration of the human condition. Beckmann began his formal art education at the Weimar-Saxon Grand Ducal Art School in 1900 and quickly gained recognition for his work. Beckmann’s early works were influenced by Impressionism and Symbolism, but his style evolved significantly, especially after the traumatic experiences he endured during World War I, where he served as a medical orderly. The war deeply affected him, leading to a nervous breakdown and a shift in his artistic approach towards a more introspective and expressionist style. In the 1920s, Beckmann became a leading figure in the New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit) movement, which emphasized a realistic and often stark portrayal of contemporary society. However, with the rise of the Nazi regime, his work was condemned as “degenerate art,” and he was dismissed from his teaching position at the Städel School in Frankfurt. Beckmann fled to Amsterdam in 1937 and later emigrated to the United States in 1947, where he continued to teach and create art until his death. Beckmann died of a heart attack on December 27, 1950, in New York City. His legacy endures through his profound and evocative body of work, which continues to be celebrated in major museums and galleries worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Max Beckmann

1. Max Beckmann served as a medical orderly during World War I, an experience that profoundly influenced his artistic style.

2. He was dismissed from his teaching position at the Städel School in Frankfurt by the Nazis, who labeled his work as “degenerate art.”

3. Beckmann created over 85 self-portraits in various mediums throughout his career, reflecting his introspective nature.

4. He emigrated to the United States in 1947, where he taught at Washington University in St. Louis and the Brooklyn Museum Art School.

5. Beckmann was an avid reader and was deeply influenced by literature, philosophy, and mythology, which often appeared as themes in his work.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Max Beckmann

1. “Art is creative for the sake of realization, not for amusement. Art is the search for truth.”

2. “I want to bring together relentless observation with the freedom of imagination.”

3. “You can’t escape yourself, but you can escape your art.”

4. “Painting is a very difficult thing. It absorbs the whole man, body and soul.”

5. “What I want to show in my work is the idea which hides itself behind so-called reality.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Max Beckmann’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but his works have sold for millions of dollars posthumously. For instance, his painting “Hölle der Vögel” (Birds’ Hell) sold for over $45 million at a Christie’s auction in 2017.

Children

Max Beckmann had one child, a son named Peter Beckmann, who was born in 1903. Peter followed in his father’s footsteps to some extent, engaging with the arts, though he did not achieve the same level of fame as his father.