Max Liebermann on view at the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Saturday, 12 April 2008 21:03

DRESDEN - The fifth exhibition in the series “Die Galerie Neue Meister zu Gast im Semperbau” will be presenting some of the highlights of German Impressionism this spring and summer. All the paintings by Max Liebermann (1847-1935) from the holdings of the Dresden collection will be displayed along with the story of their acquisition. In addition to the six pictures in the Gallery today, the three works will also be shown that have been either missing or sold since the Second World War: “The Seamstress” (1881), “Jews’ Lane in Amsterdam” (1905) and a portrait of Field Marshal von Bülow (1915/16). Thanks to intensive research work, it is possible for this portrait to be shown in public for the first time in decades.

The presentation of this group of Liebermann works in the Semperbau is an opportunity to examine the paintings individually, each of which deals with a different theme and belongs to a different creative phase in the life of the Berlin artist. The exhibition and the accompanying publication “Max Liebermann in der Dresdener Galerie” document all the pictures in detail and investigate the particular circumstances in which each was acquired and how the acquisition of the paintings fits into the history of the Gallery and the general reception of Liebermann as a painter and graphic artist in Dresden.
 
Influenced by the Dutch Masters of the 1600s, Liebermann became fascinated with themes that concerned contemplative states. He also absorbed the lessons of French painters; his richly worked execution of this painting reflects the painterly style he learned in Paris in the 1870s. The Old Woman with Cat  was painted in 1878 in Venice, where Liebermann went to recuperate after breaking his leg. He captured that city's famous golden light to harmonize the rich

Max Liebermann (1847 - 1935)

Born on July 20, 1847 in Berlin where he died as well on February 8, 1935. After his first drawing instruction with Karl Steffeck in Berlin in 1863/64, Liebermann began a course of study at the art school in Weimar. Starting 1871, the influence of the Hungarian painter Mihály von Munkácsy made itself present in his work. Drawn to what was happening in French art, he went to Paris in 1872 and in 1874 to Barbizon in order to make the acquaintance of Jean François Millet. Of decisive importance were his annual trips to Holland, where he intensively studied the works of Frans Hals and the bright palette of the "Hague School". In 1878 Liebermann relocated to Munich, where he came under the strong influence of Wihlem Leibl's style. In 1884 he returned to Berlin and by 1897 finally received much deserved recognition. From 1899 to 1911 he took over the presidency of the Berlin Secession, and from 1920 to 1933 the presidency of the Preussischen Akademie der Künste (Prussian Art Academy). Liebermann, together with Max Slevogt and Lovis Corinth, was one of the trio of leading German Impressionists. His penchant for painting simple working folk ultimately gave way to a more naturalistic style reflected in scenes from the life of the upper class; he was, as well, a popular portraitist.