Max Pechstein (1881-1955), German expressionist painter, born near Zwickau. Associated with both Die Brücke (The Bridge) group (see Brücke, Die) in Dresden and the Neue Sezession in Berlin, he painted landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and beach scenes. Inspired by aboriginal art, he used bright undiluted colors and vigorous brushstrokes. His paintings tended to be more eclectic, more naturalistic, and less innovative than the work of other expressionists. See Expressionism.