Das große Ermatten

On view from April 11 - June 13, 2025, the Exhibition will unveil an entirely new series of paintings and a selection of drawings on parchment paper created exclusively for this occasion, offering an in-depth exploration of Beckmann’s distinctive narrative style, where layered painting compositions give rise to enigmatic scenes.


Referencing Renaissance master Lucas Cranach the Elder, Beckmann explores the German term ermatten—a word evoking exhaustion, surrender, and transformation—through figures suspended between dreams, sleep, and death. Defeated yet open to fate, they embody a tension between being overtaken and embracing the inevitable.

Beckmann’s style is defined by evocative sceneries, shrouded in a haze that blurs the line between reality and

the surreal.

Beneath translucent layers of glaze, mysterious beings and allegorical contexts emerge, inviting viewers to uncover hidden narratives. In his personal approach to narrative painting, the artist shifts attention away from the subjects’ gestures, allowing the atmosphere of the composition to drive the story.

Beckmann often abstracts and manipulates his figures to conform to the limits of the canvas, establishing a dynamic relationship between the protagonists and their environment. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque masters, he reimagines historical influences through a dreamlike lens, infusing his work with otherworldly mystery.

• Artefact Gallery, Geisbergstraße 12 | 10777 Berlin
  
• Monday – Friday | 10 – 6 p.m. and by appointment.
  
• Private Preview: April 10, 2025 | 6 – 8 PM