--- title: "Best Max Beckmann Quotes" description: "Max Carl Friedrich Beckmann was a German painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer. Although he is classified as an Expressionist artist, he ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-max-beckmann-65818.jpg" --- ![Portrait of Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-max-beckmann-65818.jpg) # Max Beckmann (1884–1950) Painter Germany **48** quotes in **404** categories Rate this collection: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet Max Beckmann was a painter from Germany, best known for *Max Beckmann*. ## Quick Facts About Max Beckmann Born February 27, 1884 Died December 27, 1950 Nationality Germany Profession Painter Notable works Max Beckmann Known for Self-Portrait in Tuxedo, Self-Portrait with Red Scarf, Departure, Birds’ Hell Spouse Minna Beckmann-Tube ## About Max Beckmann Max Carl Friedrich Beckmann was a German painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer. Although he is classified as an Expressionist artist, he rejected both the term and the movement. In the 1920s, he was associated with the New Objectivity, an outgrowth of Expressionism that opposed its introverted emotionalism. Even when dealing with light subject matter like circus performers, Beckmann often had an undercurrent of moodiness or unease in his works. By the 1930s, his work became more explicit in its horrifying imagery and distorted forms with combination of brutal realism and social criticism, coinciding with the rise of Nazism in Germany. ## Awards & Honors Villa Romana Prize ## Quotes by Max Beckmann · Page 2 > [Painting is a very difficult thing. It absorbs the whole man, body and soul, thus have I passed blindly many things which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-absorbs-the-whole-man-body-and/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/max-beckmann-14117_artist_painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-ab_2804397.jpg) > [One thing is sure - we have to transform the three-dimensional world of objects into the two-dimensional world of the canvas.. ..To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/one-thing-is-sure-we-have-to-transform-the-three-dimensional-world-of/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Canvas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canvas/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/max-beckmann-14117_canvas_one-thing-is-sure-we-have-to-transform-t_1118600.jpg) > [It is, of course, a luxury to create art and, on top of this, to insist on expressing one's own artistic opinion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-and-on-top-of-this-to-insist/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/max-beckmann-14117_art_it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-a_20052.jpg) > [I went across the fields to avoid the straight highways, along the firing lines where people were shooting at a small wooded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/i-went-across-the-fields-to-avoid-the-straight-highways-along-the/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_covered_i-went-across-the-fields-to-avoid-the-st_2917584.jpg) > [The metaphysics of substance. The strange feeling which comes over us when we sense: this is skin - this is bone -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/the-metaphysics-of-substance-the-strange-feeling-which-comes-over-us/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/max-beckmann-14117_bones_the-metaphysics-of-substance-the-strange_1915601.jpg) > [On my left the shooting had the sharp explosion of the infantry artillery, on my right could be heard the sporadic cannon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/on-my-left-the-shooting-had-the-sharp-explosion-of-the-infantry/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abe/max-beckmann-14117_above_on-my-left-the-shooting-had-the-sharp-ex_2712236.jpg) > [I am working here (in Amsterdam) on my last big triptych, which will be a tremendous story, and which gives me a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/i-am-working-here-in-amsterdam-on-my-last-big-triptych-which-will-be/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Amsterdam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amsterdam/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/max-beckmann-14117_amsterdam_i-am-working-here-in-amsterdam-on-my-las_3159023.jpg) > [As a painter, cursed or blessed with a terrible and vital sensuousness, I must look for wisdom with my eyes. I repeat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/as-a-painter-cursed-or-blessed-with-a-terrible-and-vital-sensuousness/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_beauty_as-a-painter-cursed-or-blessed-with-a-te_1278950.jpg) ## Max Beckmann by topic [Artist (13)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/max-beckmann/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/#itemlist", "name": "Max Beckmann Quotes", "numberOfItems": 8, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Painting is a very difficult thing. It absorbs the whole man, body and soul, thus have I passed blindly many things which belong to real and political life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Beckmann" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-absorbs-the-whole-man-body-and/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/max-beckmann-14117_artist_painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-ab_2804397.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/max-beckmann-14117_artist_painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-ab_2804397.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/max-beckmann-14117_artist_painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-ab_2804397.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Painting is a very difficult thing. 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Nothing is more luxurious than this. It is a game and a good game, at least for me; one of the few games which make life, difficult and depressing as it is sometimes, a little more interesting.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Beckmann" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-and-on-top-of-this-to-insist/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/max-beckmann-14117_art_it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-a_20052.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/max-beckmann-14117_art_it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-a_20052.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fd/max-beckmann-14117_art_it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-a_20052.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is, of course, a luxury to create art and, on top of this, to insist on expressing one's own artistic…” — Max Beckmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I went across the fields to avoid the straight highways, along the firing lines where people were shooting at a small wooded hill, which is now covered with wooden crosses and lines of graves instead of spring flowers.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Beckmann" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/i-went-across-the-fields-to-avoid-the-straight-highways-along-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_covered_i-went-across-the-fields-to-avoid-the-st_2917584.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_covered_i-went-across-the-fields-to-avoid-the-st_2917584.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_covered_i-went-across-the-fields-to-avoid-the-st_2917584.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I went across the fields to avoid the straight highways, along the firing lines where people were shooting…” — Max Beckmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The metaphysics of substance. The strange feeling which comes over us when we sense: this is skin - this is bone - all in a single vision that is completely unearthly. The dreaminess of our existence mixed at the same time with the indescribably sweet illusion of reality.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Beckmann" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/the-metaphysics-of-substance-the-strange-feeling-which-comes-over-us/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/max-beckmann-14117_bones_the-metaphysics-of-substance-the-strange_1915601.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/max-beckmann-14117_bones_the-metaphysics-of-substance-the-strange_1915601.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab8/max-beckmann-14117_bones_the-metaphysics-of-substance-the-strange_1915601.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The metaphysics of substance. 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My God, life is worth living!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Beckmann" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/i-am-working-here-in-amsterdam-on-my-last-big-triptych-which-will-be/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/max-beckmann-14117_amsterdam_i-am-working-here-in-amsterdam-on-my-las_3159023.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/max-beckmann-14117_amsterdam_i-am-working-here-in-amsterdam-on-my-las_3159023.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/max-beckmann-14117_amsterdam_i-am-working-here-in-amsterdam-on-my-las_3159023.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am working here (in Amsterdam) on my last big triptych, which will be a tremendous story, and which gives…” — Max Beckmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a painter, cursed or blessed with a terrible and vital sensuousness, I must look for wisdom with my eyes. I repeat, with my eyes, for nothing could be more ridiculous or irrelevant than a 'philosophical conception painted purely intellectually without the terrible fury of the senses grasping each visible form of beauty and ugliness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Beckmann" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/as-a-painter-cursed-or-blessed-with-a-terrible-and-vital-sensuousness/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_beauty_as-a-painter-cursed-or-blessed-with-a-te_1278950.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_beauty_as-a-painter-cursed-or-blessed-with-a-te_1278950.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/111/max-beckmann-14117_beauty_as-a-painter-cursed-or-blessed-with-a-te_1278950.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As a painter, cursed or blessed with a terrible and vital sensuousness, I must look for wisdom with my eyes…” — Max Beckmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/#person", "name": "Max Beckmann", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/", "image": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-max-beckmann-65818.jpg" }, { "@type": "ProfilePage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/page/2/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/page/2/", "name": "Max Beckmann", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/#person" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/max-beckmann-14117_artist_painting-is-a-very-difficult-thing-it-ab_2804397.jpg" }, "description": "Max Carl Friedrich Beckmann was a German painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer. 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