February 12 1884

Max Beckmann (February 12, 1884 to December 27, 1950) saw his painting as a means of exploring reality. His philosophical sophistication and dedication to truth give him a prominence in the world of artists. He had tried to stay in Germany even after losing his job when the German Nazis took over, But when the infamous degenerate art (Entartete Kunst) show opened in Munich on June 26, 1937, he went into exile in Amsterdam. One source says:

Among the 730 controversial works gathered there by the Nazi curators were ten paintings by Beckmann, including his 1917 self-portrait. There were more works by Beckmann in the show than by any other living artist.

This statement of Beckmann's points to how he connected painting and struggling to grasp the reality of which he was a part:  Space, and space again, is the infinite deity which surrounds us and in which we are ourselves contained.

And most provocatively: I am seeking for the bridge which leans from the visible to the invisible through reality.  This statement by Beckmann could be a credo for all intent on seeing for themselves.

And yet no artist could misunderstand this quote: Really I only wanted to paint beautiful pictures:

The above is titled Stilleben mit roten Rosen und Butchy, (1942)