Paper

Student Artwork Guide

The King

Max Beckmann, 1937

Name Class Date
Max Beckmann, The King (1937). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Max Beckmann originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/max-beckmann/
Artist’s dates
1884 – 1950
Painted
1937
Medium
Acrylic
Original size
135 x 100 cm
Movement
Expressionist Painting
Artistic style
Theatricality & Dignity
Influences
Cézanne, Van Gogh
Notable elements
Crown, child, pink attire
Subject
Inner Drama

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Max Beckmann died in 1950; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2020.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 22, 2026

The King — Max Beckmann Part 1 · The artwork

In context

The King — Max Beckmann

How big is it?

The original measures 135 × 100 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940
  8. 1950

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 66 at death.

Painted when the artist was 53. The artist lived to 66. 43 of the 81 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Max Beckmann (1884–1950) ▲ this work, 1937 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1925 Main working years: 1925–1944 Late works: from 1944

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/max-beckmann-the-king-8LSVXB-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Black #140f0b

    Catalogued palette

    • #140F0B
    • #4E3C2A
    • #C4AAA0
    • #92774B

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Black
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Max Beckmann over the last twelve months — 49 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 25.9%
    2. 2 United States of America 9.9%
    3. 3 France 6.9%
    4. 4 Germany 5.6%
    5. 5 Spain 5.6%
    6. 6 Argentina 3.4%
    7. 7 Italy 3.4%
    8. 8 Colombia 3.0%
    9. 9 United Kingdom 3.0%
    10. 10 Hong Kong 3.0%
    11. · 39 other countries 30.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Max Beckmann

    1. 1 The Night, 1919 50.0%
    2. 2 The Iron Bridge (View of Frankfurt), 1922 10.0%
    3. 3 Great Scene of Agony, 1906 3.9%
    4. 4 Self Portrait with a Bucket Hat, 1921 1.9%
    5. 5 The actors, 1942 1.6%
    6. 6 Rugby players, 1929 1.6%
    7. 7 Odysseus and Calypso, 1943 1.6%
    8. 8 Bird's hell, 1938 1.6%
    9. 9 Dancing bar in Baden-Baden, Bayerische St, 1923 1.6%
    10. 10 The Old Actress, 1926 1.3%
    11. 11 Columbine, 1950 1.0%
    12. 12 Self-Portrait in Florence, 1907 1.0%
    13. 13 Seascape with poplars, 1924 1.0%
    14. 14 Family Picture, Moma NY, 1920 1.0%
    15. 15 Still Life with Large Green Fruits 1.0%
    16. 16 Temptation, 1937 0.6%
    17. 17 Self-Portrait with Trumpet, 1938 0.6%
    18. 18 The King, 1937 this painting 0.6%
    19. 19 Quappi in blue in a boat, 1950 0.6%
    20. 20 Reclining Nude, 1929 0.6%

    Together these works take 83.1% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 221 works by this artist, of which 66 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 18 of them, with 0.6% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 22, 2026

    The King — Max Beckmann Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    The King — Max Beckmann

    Max Beckmann's The King, created in 1937, is a captivating oil on canvas painting that embodies the essence of Expressionism. This artwork, measuring 135 x 100 cm, is currently housed at the Saint Louis Art Museum in the United States.

    Artistic Evolution and Inspiration

    Beckmann worked tirelessly on The King, submitting it to the Carnegie International exhibition in San Francisco from 1934-35. Although it did not win a prize, this setback prompted him to make significant changes before finally signing the piece in Amsterdam in 1937. The painting's history is crucial as some critics have interpreted it as an allusion to the "despot" of the time, suggesting it was Beckmann's first work created in exile. However, the resemblance between the king and Beckmann himself negates any direct reference to a specific tyrant. Instead, the artwork delves into the inner drama of a proud, powerful, yet benign individual.

    Composition and Symbolism

    The painting features a man wearing a crown, seated with a child on his lap, accompanied by two other figures in the background. All three individuals are dressed in pink attire, creating a sense of unity and togetherness. A dog is prominently positioned near the center of the image, while a chair is visible in the background, adding depth to the composition. The king's features bear a striking resemblance to Beckmann's own, although it was not intended as a formal self-portrait. The distinctive collar with triangular flaps, often associated with clown and harlequin costumes, suggests that the ominous scene might be part of a play. This blend of reality and theatricality is characteristic of Beckmann's unique style.

    Expressionism and Artistic Legacy

    Max Beckmann was a prominent figure in the Expressionist movement, known for his ability to convey intense emotions through his art. The King exemplifies this by capturing the inner turmoil and dignity of its subject. Beckmann's work is a testament to the power of Expressionism in exploring the human experience. For those interested in learning more about Max Beckmann and his contributions to Expressionism, visit /art/list/?Filter=Max-Beckmann for a comprehensive overview of his life and works. Additionally, explore the detailed page on "The King" to delve deeper into the painting's history and significance.

    Conclusion

    The King by Max Beckmann is a masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of Expressionism, blending reality with theatrical elements. Its rich history and symbolism make it a compelling piece for art enthusiasts and scholars alike. As part of the Saint Louis Art Museum's collection, this painting continues to inspire and intrigue audiences. For those who appreciate the beauty of handmade oil paintings, AllPaintingsStore offers high-quality reproductions of Beckmann's works, including The King. Visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com to explore their extensive collection and bring a piece of art history into your home.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 22, 2026

    The King — Max Beckmann Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Max Beckmann

    Born in Leipzig, Germany

    early life and artistic development

    max beckmann, a renowned german painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, was born on february 12, 1884, in leipzig, saxony. his artistic journey began with academically correct depictions, which later transformed into distorted figures and spaces, reflecting his altered vision of humanity after serving as a medical orderly in world war i.

    artistic style and influences

    beckmann's style, rooted in the imagery of medieval stained glass, was influenced by various artists, including cézanne, van gogh, blake, rembrandt, and rubens. he also drew inspiration from northern european artists of the late middle ages and early renaissance, such as bosch, bruegel, and matthias grünewald.

    notable works and exhibitions

    the bark (acquired by the national gallery in berlin) self-portrait in tuxedo (purchased in 1928) * retrospectives at the städtische kunsthalle mannheim (1928) and in basle and zurich (1930)

    later life and exile

    beckmann's fortunes changed with the rise of adolf hitler, leading to his dismissal from the art school in frankfurt and the confiscation of over 500 of his works. he lived in self-imposed exile in amsterdam for ten years, failing to obtain a visa for the united states.

    legacy

    taught at the art schools of washington university in st. louis and the brooklyn museum first retrospective in the united states took place in 1948 at the city art museum, saint louis * max-slevogt galerie, germany, features a collection of his works

    max-slevogt galerie, germany

    history of painting

    max beckmann's artworks on AllPaintingsStore

    key dates: born: february 12, 1884 died: december 27, 1950

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The King

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/max-beckmann-the-king-8LSVXB-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Beckmann, Max. The King. 1937, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-the-king-8LSVXB-en/
    APA
    Beckmann, Max (1937). The King [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-the-king-8LSVXB-en/
    Chicago
    Max Beckmann. The King. 1937. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-the-king-8LSVXB-en/
    Harvard
    Beckmann, Max (1937) The King. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-the-king-8LSVXB-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 22, 2026

    The King — Max Beckmann Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    The King — Max Beckmann

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: portraiture, family, crown. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Night (1919), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Max Beckmann was about 53 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 22, 2026

    The King — Max Beckmann Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    How much light do the colors of "The King" appear to reflect?

    The luminance recorded for "The King" by Max Beckmann is dark.

    Can I see "The King" by Max Beckmann under different lights?

    The X-Ray page of "The King" by Max Beckmann is an interactive viewer that lets you slide through eleven optical layers of the artwork's image, including an X-ray style view.

    When was "The King" created, and to which movement does it belong?

    "The King" was created in 1937 as a work of the Expressionist Painting movement. Date and movement anchor the artwork in art history.