Three sheets from Max Slevogt's war diary, 1914

Immediately after the outbreak of the First World War on August 2, 1914, Max Slevogt made intensive efforts to volunteer as a war painter. These were assigned to specific troops and had the task of capturing places and events of the war for patriotic memory. However, deeply shaken by his experiences on the Western Front, Slevogt broke off his war assignment after just a few weeks on November 2, 1914.

On his travels, he always had a small-format sketchbook with rounded corners and a striking red trim on the pages. The three pencil drawings acquired at auction by the Verein der Freunde come from this sketchbook. Thanks to the extensive holdings, including the spectacular new acquisition of his graphic estate in 2014, the artist is considered an absolutely unique feature of our museum.