Although Max Beckmann is sadly rather unknown in Russia, the Hermitage Museum is hosting an exhibition dedicated to this original and important artist, presenting paintings, sculptures and graphics. Some of these are on loan from the Hamburg Kunsthalle, others come from various museums and private collections in Hambrug and Lubeck. Showcasing the whole of Beckmann's career, in a comprehensive presentation, the show reunites works created in various years, starting from the first attempts and finished compositions to the much later creations, made in the US after the Second World War, at a time when Beckmann was already a important artist.
This is the first time that a Russian museum is ever presenting an exhibition focused only on the works of Max Beckamn, and the curators have gone to great lengths to ensure a success. Over the course of his long career, Beckmann was interested in realism, symbolism, impressionism, post-impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, chosing from this major movements what he thought was important for his own personal style. Yet, despite this eclectic range of influences, he always kept his own manner, developping it gradually.
Some of the most important works presented in the Hermitage exhibition are a series of portraits and self-portraits, as well as several landscapes made in the 1920 - 1940's.
2007-09-20
