Sternenacht am Hafen (Starry Night at the Harbor)
Painting on canvas • Attributed to Max Beckmann (or a very close follower/circle of the German Expressionist school)
Style & Movement
German Expressionism / New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit) blend
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas with expressive, broad brushwork and swirling impasto techniques.
Creation Period
Circa 1940-1950
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 80 x 50 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A nocturnal harbor scene viewed from the deck of a ship. The composition features heavy rigging, masts, and nets in the foreground, framing a view of a distant city skyline under a celestial sky with a glowing moon and abstracted stars. The use of thick black outlines and a compressed, vertical perspective is characteristic of mid-century expressionist nautical themes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the paint film appears stable with some minor surface grime and faint craquelure consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $350,000 (if authenticated as Beckmann); $15,000 - $30,000 (if Circle of/Manner of)
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $250,000 (if a known work)
Provenance History
Likely from a European private collection; the gilded frame suggests it was framed for a gallery or residential setting in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the existential themes of journey and exile common in German Expressionism during and after WWII. The ship imagery often served as a metaphor for the human condition and political displacement during this era.
Notable Features
The dramatic use of black 'cloissoné' lines to define forms and the high-contrast palette of deep blues against sunset pinks and oranges are hallmark traits of the Beckmann-inspired school.
Condition Issues
Minor age-related yellowing of varnish; slight edge wear from frame contact; subtle cracking in the heavier passages of the blue sky.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator; UV-protective glazing; maintain in a climate-controlled environment with 45-55% humidity.