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Max Beckmann (German, 1884–1950. Worked in Amsterdam 1936–47; in U.S.A. 1947–50.)

Departure. (1932–33)

Oil on canvas; triptych, center panel, 7' 3/4" x 45 3/8" (215.3 x 115.2 cm); side panels each, 7' 3/4" x 39 1/4" (215.3 x 99.7 cm)
The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Given anonymously (by exchange)

Collection work meeting criteria specified in Introduction.

6.42.a–c

Other works by this artist

Provenance:

Artist’s collection, Frankfurt, Berlin, Amsterdam, 1933 - 1937
Buchholz Gallery (Stephen Lackner and Curt Valentin), New York. Purchased from the artist (shipped from Holland to Curt Valentin), 1937 - 1942
The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Given anonymously (by exchange), 1942

Title and date:

In his studio notebook, the artist recorded the titles and dates of the three panels. Left Panel: The Castle [Das Schloss], begun in Frankfurt May 1932, finished in Berlin December 31, 1933; center panel: The Homecoming [Die Heimkehr], begun in Frankfurt May 1932, finished in Berlin November 15, 1933; right panel: The Staircase [Die Treppe], begun in Frankfurt May 1932, finished in Berlin November 4, 1933.

In an apparent effort to mislead the Nazis, the artist inscribed the works on the reverse as: (left panel) Decorative Study for Hamlet in Shakespeare; (center panel) The Tempest, Decorative Study for Shakespeare; (right panel) Study for Lady Macbeth (Shakespeare).

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