The Argonauts, a triptych painting by Max Beckmann, was created in 1949-50. The artwork depicts an autobiographical allegory as well as a broader allegory of the life of the artist. It consists of three panels that make reference to Beckmann’s life and art, with the central panel showcasing a garlanded figure representing poetry.
Max Beckmann was a German painter, printmaker, sculptor, and writer associated with Expressionism and the New Objectivity movement. He is notable for including himself in his paintings identifiable by his enormous head and scowling face. One of his famous paintings is The Night which portrays a tormented family as a symbol of war-torn Germany.
The right panel of The Argonauts features characters carrying items such as arms and garments who represent different parts of Beckmann’s personality. This artwork presents how he viewed himself as going away from traditional ideas about art trends while still standing firm on what he believed was necessary for him to bring out emotive paintings or caricatures. In terms of symbolism used, the left panel embodies objects relevant to power, ambitions, objects sometimes shown along Steinberg caricatures such as jewels or weapons. Lastly, scholars have praised his adventurous imagination projected throughout his work even from childhood evident in creative drawings like In The Beginning.
Although Max Beckmann planned to paint another triptych called “The Artists,” he did not get around to completing it before passing. Today The Argonauts has become one of Max Beckman’s most recognized works displayed across many reputable galleries worldwide encouraging other artists to create similarly imaginative artworks based on their personal lives giving viewers an insight into their inspiration sources behind any piece they create.
