“Beckmann in America” highlights the influence of German-born artists Max Beckmann and Karl Zerbe. After fleeing Europe, both immigrated to the US and had a lasting impact on artists working in Boston.

The gallery explores the work of Beckmann and Zerbe, as well as students Hyman Bloom and Jack Levine, who established Boston Expressionism as a major style of painting at mid century.

Together with Zerbe and their students, including David Aaronson, who went on to establish the Fine Art Department at Boston University, the Boston Expressionists developed their own personal responses to the bold subjects and broad technique of the German Expressionists.