Portrait of Alfred von Berger 

Max Liebermann painted this portrait of Alfred von Berger, a prominent figure in Viennese cultural life. Liebermann, himself part of the educated German-Jewish bourgeoise, captures Berger with an intimacy that speaks to their shared social world. Note the direct gaze and relaxed posture, which suggests a man of comfort and authority. Liebermann, who was known for his commitment to realism, avoids idealizing his subject. Instead, he presents Berger as a man of his time, a man of substance, situated within the cultural milieu of early 20th century Vienna. The loose brushwork and muted tones add to the sense of immediacy, as if we are encountering Berger in a candid moment. It's a portrait that reflects the complex interplay between identity, status, and artistic representation during a period of profound social and political change. It subtly investigates how identity can be communicated through art and its emotional resonance with the viewer.