MAX BECKMANN:
From Germany to
Saint Louis
Max Beckmann, born in Saxony, Germany, in 1884,
was one of the most important painters of the first
half of the 20th century.
In 1937, Adolf Hitler convinced the German public that
modern German art was degenerate. He mounted a public
exhibition mocking the work of artists, including Max
Beckmann.
Leaving a successful career, Beckmann and his wife fled
to Amsterdam to escape further persecution.
Beckmann worked for the next ten years in Amsterdam.
But even physically removed from the war his work still
addressed themes of chaos and the artist’s feelings of
vulnerability.
Done in his early days in
Amsterdam, this painting
shows Beckmann disguised
as the king. A mysterious
hooded figure stands to the
rear. Is it protecting or
threatening the king?
Exiled from his homeland, Beckmann found escape in
circuses and cabarets. Much of his work from the early
1940s depicted characters from these performances.
This triptych, Acrobats, presents a snake handler, acrobats, and
costumed performers. In it, we see human interaction through
performance.
Acrobat on Trapeze, is
a portrait that brings
one performer into
focus. Behind him we
see another acrobat
and, far below, the
crowd and a group of
clowns.
In 1947, promised a teaching position, Beckmann left
Amsterdam for St. Louis, Missouri.
At prestigious Washington University, Beckmann
taught in the art school as an assistant professor. In St.
Louis, he also found generous patrons who bought his
work.
Masquerade, created in
St. Louis, features two
figures. Their masks hide
the figures’ true identity
and prevent
communication between
them.
After two years in St. Louis, Beckmann moved to
New York City where he died shortly after Christmas
in 1950.
Max Beckmann redefined art in the early 20th century. His
style, characterized by vigorous brushwork and bold black
lines, still inspires strong reactions. His mysterious
characters leave us puzzling over the artist’s view of what
life is about.
Image Credits
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Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950; Self-Portrait in Blue Jacket, 1950; oil on canvas; 55 1/8 x 36 in.; Bequest of Morton D. May;
Saint Louis Art Museum © 2005 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 866: 1983
Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950; Self-Portrait, 1922; woodcut; image: 6 1/16 x 8 3/4 in.; Neumann/Frumkin Collection, purchased
with funds provided by the bequest of Morton D. May, by exchange, the bequest of Florene M. Schoenborn in honor of her father,
David May, by exchange, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Museum Shop Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Lester A. Crancer Jr., Phoebe and Mark Weil, The
Sidney S. and Sadie Cohen Print Purchase Fund, Mr. and Mrs. David C. Farrell, the Julian and Hope Edison Print Fund, gift of George
Rickey, by exchange, bequest of Helen K. Baer, by exchange, Suzanne and Jerry Sincoff, Museum Shop Fund, by exchange, gift of the
Buchholz Gallery, by exchange, Museum Purchase, by exchange, Jerome F. and Judith Weiss Levy, bequest of Horace M. Swope, by
exchange, and funds given by Fielding Lewis Holmes through the 1988 Art Enrichment Fund, by exchange ; Saint Louis Art Museum ©
Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst. 329:2002
Max Beckmann, German, 1884 – 1950; Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat, c. April 1921; drypoint; 12 5/8 x 9 9/16 in.; Neumann/Frumkin
Collection, purchased with funds provided by the bequest of Morton D. May, by exchange, the bequest of Florene M. Schoenborn in
honor of her father, David May, by exchange, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Museum Shop Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Lester A. Crancer Jr., Phoebe
and Mark Weil, The Sidney S. and Sadie Cohen Print Purchase Fund, Mr. and Mrs. David C. Farrell, the Julian and Hope Edison Print
Fund, gift of George Rickey, by exchange, bequest of Helen K. Baer, by exchange, Suzanne and Jerry Sincoff, Museum Shop Fund, by
exchange, gift of the Buchholz Gallery, by exchange, Museum Purchase, by exchange, Jerome F. and Judith Weiss Levy, bequest of
Horace M. Swope, by exchange, and funds given by Fielding Lewis Holmes through the 1988 Art Enrichment Fund, by exchange; Saint
Louis Art Museum © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 337: 2002
Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950; The King, 1933–37; oil on canvas; 53 1/8 x 39 3/8 in.; Bequest of Morton D. May ; Saint Louis
Art Museum © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 850:1983
Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950; Acrobats, 1939; oil on canvas; left panel: 78 3/4 x 35 7/16 in. , center panel: 78 3/4 x 66 15/16
in., right panel: 78 3/4 x 35 7/16 in. ; Bequest of Morton D. May 851:1983a-c; Saint Louis Art Museum © Artists Rights Society
(ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 851:1983a-c
Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950,; Acrobat on Trapeze, 1940; oil on canvas; 57 3/8 x 35 7/8 in.; Bequest of Morton D. May ; Saint
Louis Art Museum © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 852:1983
St. Louis, 1953. Image: Missouri Historical Archives, Jefferson City, MO
Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950; Masquerade, 1948; oil on canvas; 64 3/4 x 34 3/4 in.; Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr.;
Saint Louis Art Museum © 2008 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 587:1958
Max Beckmann, German, 1884–1950; Young Men by the Sea, 1943; oil on canvas; 75 3/8 x 39 1/2 in.; Museum Purchase ; Saint Louis
Art Museum © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn. 106:1946