Magic Mirror - Max Beckmann

A 1946 lithograph by Max Beckmann featuring a woman before a tilted mirror, part of the "Day and Dream" portfolio.

Max Beckmann produced "Magic Mirror" in 1946 as part of his "Day and Dream" portfolio. This series consists of fifteen lithographs created shortly after the artist moved to Amsterdam following the end of the Second World War. The commission came from the New York dealer Curt Valentin, who encouraged Beckmann to return to printmaking. The work features a tall, slender woman standing on a raised platform. She gazes into a large, rectangular mirror that tilts at an awkward angle. The composition relies on sharp, angular lines and a flattened perspective characteristic of Beckmann's later graphic style. The mirror does not show a direct reflection of the woman. Instead, it reveals several faces peering out from the darkness behind or within the glass. A heavy curtain hangs to the left, framing the scene and reinforcing the theatrical atmosphere. Below the main platform, a secondary space contains numbered objects or figures, suggesting a backstage area or a circus-like setting. Beckmann often used the stage as a metaphor for human existence and the roles individuals play. The stark contrast between the heavy black ink and the pale paper creates a sense of spatial tension. This print is identified by the Roman numeral XIII at the bottom centre, marking its place in the sequence. Beckmann's use of line in this lithograph is direct and economical. He avoids cross-hatching in favour of parallel diagonal strokes to indicate shadow and volume. The figures possess the distorted proportions and heavy outlines common in German Expressionism. This print reflects the psychological complexity of Beckmann's post-war period, where he frequently explored themes of illusion and reality. The artist's signature appears in the lower right corner, while the edition number is noted on the left.