About the Exhibition

Max Beckmann (1884–1950) was a leading modernist painter whose prolific career followed a notably individualistic path and spanned the first half of the twentieth century. The first comprehensive exhibition of his work to be seen in New York since 1964, Max Beckmann features works from every stage of the German artist’s career, beginning with the stylish yet psychologically probing portraits and dramatic figural compositions that marked the early stages of his development, and ending with the dense symbolist tableaux he produced prior to his death in New York in 1950. A major catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

Organized by Robert Storr, Rosalie Solow Professor of Modern Art, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and former Senior Curator, Department of Painting and Sculpture, The Museum of Modern Art, New York; Didier Ottinger, Senior Curator, Musée national d’art moderne—Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; and Sean Rainbird, Senior Curator, Tate Modern, London.

The exhibition is made possible by Joan and Preston Robert Tisch. Generous support is also provided by AOL Time Warner Inc. and The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art. An indemnity has been granted by the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Additional funding is provided by Stadt Frankfurt am Main. The accompanying publication is made possible by The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art. The accompanying educational programs are made possible by BNP Paribas.

Pictured above:
Max Beckmann. Self-Portrait in Tuxedo. 1927. Oil on canvas, 54 15/16" x 37 5/8" (139.5 x 95.5 cm). Courtesy of the Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, Association Fund. Photo: Kallsen, Katya. © President and Fellows of Harvard College. © 2003 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn.