The metaphysics of substance. The strange feeling which comes over us when we sense: this is skin – this is bone – all in a single vision that is completely unearthly. The dreaminess of our existence mixed at the same time with the indescribably sweet illusion of reality.

In: Beckmann's sketchbook - probably referring to his last triptych painting 'The Argonauts', he painted in 1950, the year he died.