Stern of a Ship
Painting on canvas • Max Beckmann
Style & Movement
German Expressionism (New Objectivity / Neue Sachlichkeit influence)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing expressive brushwork, bold impasto, and a saturated color palette that emphasizes angular geometric forms.
Creation Period
Circa 1944-1946
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 95 x 60 cm (37 x 24 inches); vertical portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A nocturnal maritime scene depicting the rigging and deck of a ship. The composition is vertically oriented, featuring large-scale masts and ropes that frame a view of the night sky containing celestial bodies (moon and stars). The dark, heavy outlines and distorted perspectives are characteristic of Beckmann's 'compacted' space.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paint layer appears stable with some evidence of natural age-related craquelure. The gold-gilt frame appears to be a modern addition.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500,000 - $2,500,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,800,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Stephan Lackner; likely passed through New York galleries such as Curt Valentin or Catherine Viviano following Beckmann's emigration to the United States.
Art Historical Significance
A highly significant work from Beckmann’s later period, reflecting the themes of exile, transience, and the metaphorical voyage. His use of black outlines to define structure in a chaotic world is pivotal to mid-century modernism.
Notable Features
The use of the 'Beckmann blue' in the sky and the specific knotting/netting patterns in the foreground are distinctive stylistic markers of his late-Amsterdam/early-American output.
Condition Issues
Possible minor surface grime accumulations; faint vertical stretcher bar marks visible upon close inspection; slight color fading in the lighter pigments of the moon.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning recommended. Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (50% RH) with UV-filtered lighting to prevent pigment degradation.