Polo 1907

Curator: Max Liebermann's "Polo," invites us into a world of dynamic movement, rendered with the stark elegance of etching. The composition immediately strikes me. It's all energy and light! Editor: Indeed. Looking at it from the lens of its historical context, it reveals the rising leisure activities afforded by the German upper class. The medium itself, etching, speaks to a process of controlled labor. Curator: Yes, the controlled labor results in anything but control. Liebermann truly captures the unbridled freedom of the horses. I feel it in my bones! Editor: Perhaps, though it's worthwhile to consider how the raw materials, like copper, were sourced. The final product conceals a globalized network of extraction. Curator: True, but for a moment, I get lost in the sheer velocity and drama of the scene. It's a beautiful paradox. Editor: I agree. Considering the materials and labor alongside the final aesthetic brings a richer understanding to the work.