One of the major aspects of achieving a
degree in art is learning how to critique and research it. This past
semester I took 2 courses specifically teaching these skills and my
adviser, Val, preaches knowing how to do both in every class. Once,
Val and I were talking about the
St. Louis Art Musem and as I talked
about loving their
Max Beckmann collection she excitedly exclaimed
“they have a whole room!!” When discussing the same topic with my
professor who teaches the courses on art research though she waited
patiently for me to stop talking and then quietly smiled in a tone of
disgusted disbelief “you actually like Beckmann?”
Disclaimer to all those who are about
to or are currently attending classes: most of your learning should
take place outside of the classroom. This instance taught me a
valuable lesson that seems so simple, that no two views are the same
and no matter how learned a person is you should still seek to hold
your own opinions for your own reasons. As
Coco Chanel is quoted:
“The most courageous act is to think for yourself. Aloud.”
Without further ado, here are my
favorite works by Beckmann. This post will serve as the first of many
Favorite Artists posts to come!
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| Beckmann often has a high movement factor in his paintings, mostly due to his lack of emphasis. |
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| Beckmann is well known for his self portraits. One of my favorite things about his works is the outstanding use of seemingly out-of-place colors that bring a sense of unreality to his works. |
A bit on Beckmann: He is a German born
artist who lived through WWI and tried to flee his country after
experiencing the horrors of war while serving as a medic in the
German army. He is associated with the philosophy of Ayn Rand, a
favorite author of mine, called New Objectivity.
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| Beckmann's style had a great range of abstractedness. He played with his style throughout his entire career. |
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| The dramatic light in this painting is very well complimented by the choice of muted colors. |
Quotes
by Max Beckmann:
On
my left the shooting had the sharp explosion of the infantry
artillery, on my right could be heard the sporadic cannon shots
thundering from the front, and up above the sky was clear and the sun
bright.
What
I want to show in my work is the idea which hides itself behind
so-called reality.
