Wooden Bridge

Wooden Bridge

Max Beckmann

1922

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a busy city street with a wooden bridge crossing over a narrow alley. People walk on the bridge and along the sidewalk, while buildings line both sides. One building has a sign with strange letters, and a lamppost leans over the street. The style is rough and sketchy, with bold black lines against a light background. The artist used thick, uneven lines to show depth and movement, almost like a quick sketch. This style makes the scene feel alive but also a little chaotic. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create drama in art.

More by Max Beckmann

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app