Self-Portrait 1921

Curator: Today we're looking at Max Liebermann’s "Self-Portrait," a charcoal drawing completed in 1921. Editor: There’s a weariness conveyed here, wouldn’t you agree? It feels incredibly direct, unflinching, as if he's grappling with mortality. The eyes are particularly intense. Curator: It is indeed a compelling image. Liebermann was a prominent figure in German Impressionism, but his work often grapples with social realism and the burden of representation, particularly as a Jewish artist during rising antisemitism. I find the sketch-like quality here fascinating because it both asserts and questions the artist’s own constructed identity. Editor: Charcoal—it's a medium so elemental, returning us to the very roots of artmaking. The rapid strokes build volume in the face, especially around the nose and mustache. Speaking of which, the mustache carries quite the symbolism. Is it the distinguished bourgeois man pushing back against his own mortality? Or is it the anxiety and insecurity caused by rising social pressures? It’s difficult to parse here. Curator: Those are very perceptive insights. The formal wear definitely points towards a desire to conform, a strategic performance of identity under pressure. I wonder too about his choice to portray himself this way at this particular moment in history—Germany entering a turbulent period, with Liebermann facing increasing criticism. Editor: The way light falls—or rather, isn't allowed to fall smoothly—contributes to the overall feeling of unease. It catches in sharp, broken highlights that emphasize the planes of his face and the deep furrows of worry etched on his brow. Even in 1921, a shadow looms, doesn’t it? The dark lines, and particularly the shadows beneath his eyes, make the viewer think there may be much more depth than one thinks on first glance. Curator: Exactly. It speaks volumes about the societal context in which Liebermann was creating. Editor: An image like this serves as an invaluable anchor, providing insight and reflecting continuity throughout social unrest. Curator: Yes. By looking deeper, we can start unpacking the complexities of his lived experiences and place in German society.