Sternennacht über dem Hafen (Starry Night over the Harbor)
Painting on canvas • Max Beckmann (1884–1950)
Style & Movement
German Expressionism (New Objectivity/Modernism)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing expressive brushwork, scumbling in the sky, and thick impasto for the celestial bodies and city lights.
Creation Period
Circa 1940s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 90 x 60 cm; Portrait format
Subject Description
A nocturnal maritime scene depicting the rigging and masts of a ship in the foreground looking out toward a distant harbor. The composition features Beckmann's characteristic use of heavy black outlines, a compressed psychic space, and symbolic celestial elements including multiple stars and a moon within a deep blue, turbulent sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint film appears stable with minor surface grime and age-appropriate craquelure.
Estimated Market Value
$500,000 - $1,500,000
Auction Estimate
$600,000 - $900,000
Provenance History
Likely held in private collections since the mid-20th century; the frame suggests a professional gallery or museum framing from the late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Beckmann's late-period nautical themes, representing themes of exile, the 'voyage of life,' and metaphysical loneliness. His late works are highly sought after by major international institutions including the MoMA and the Städel Museum.
Notable Features
Features the artist's signature bold black contours and a dramatic, claustrophobic perspective. The use of vibrant reds against deep blues is a hallmark of Beckmann's wartime and post-war palette.
Condition Issues
Fine stable craquelure consistent with age; slight yellowing of the varnish layer; minor frame abrasion along the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and minor varnish refreshing; display in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting below 200 lux.