Blumenterrasse im Wannseegarten nach Nordwesten 1920

Max Liebermann made this pastel drawing, Blumenterrasse im Wannseegarten nach Nordwesten, with loose, bright marks that seem to capture a fleeting moment in a garden. It’s all about the process, you can almost see him squinting, trying to capture the light. The texture is wonderful; the rough paper showing through the strokes of pastel feels so immediate, like he just grabbed the sticks and went for it. The blues in the flowerbeds pop against the yellows and greens, a pure, joyful color combination. There's this little patch of orange in the background that just sings – it’s a small detail, but it brings the whole composition to life. It reminds me a bit of Bonnard, that same love of domestic spaces and vibrant color. I think both artists understood that art isn't about perfect representation, but about capturing the feeling of being alive in the world.