Einholung Bismarcks in Berlin 1890

Max Liebermann created the sketch "Einholung Bismarcks in Berlin," or "Bismarck's Entry into Berlin", using graphite. Liebermann lived during a period of significant political and social change in Germany, marked by rising nationalism and militarism. This sketch portrays a celebratory event, likely the return of Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of the German Empire, to Berlin. Bismarck was a pivotal figure in German history, orchestrating the unification of Germany in 1871, and solidifying Prussian dominance in Europe. Liebermann, though deeply rooted in German culture, also faced challenges as a Jewish artist in an increasingly nationalistic society. His work often navigated themes of identity and belonging, reflecting the complex relationship between German-Jewish citizens and the state. "I cannot and will not cease to be a German," Liebermann once stated, despite the growing antisemitism that threatened his sense of national identity. Consider the atmosphere Liebermann creates, as he captures not just a historical event, but also a charged moment in the ongoing negotiation of German identity.