Portrait of the publisher Bruno Cassirer 1921

Max Liebermann painted this portrait of Bruno Cassirer with oils on canvas, and what strikes me is how the sombre colors create a sense of seriousness. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Liebermann uses visible brushstrokes to build up the form. It’s not about hiding the process, but embracing it. Thick paint is layered to model the face, while thinner washes define the background. The physicality of the paint gives the portrait a tangible presence, as though Cassirer himself is standing right there. The way Liebermann captures the light on Cassirer's face draws you in, doesn't it? Liebermann, a contemporary of artists like Lovis Corinth, shared a similar interest in capturing the psychological depth of his subjects. But where Corinth often went for a more dramatic, expressive style, Liebermann's touch is more restrained, more thoughtful. It is really interesting to think about the dialogues that artists are having with each other through their work.