Portrait of Professor Dr. Carl Bernstein 1892

Max Liebermann, a leading figure of German Impressionism, painted this portrait of Professor Dr. Carl Bernstein, capturing the likeness of a prominent intellectual. Liebermann, as a Jewish artist, navigated a complex social landscape marked by rising antisemitism. This portrait provides insight into the cultural and intellectual life of the time. Bernstein’s calm and composed posture, along with the skillful use of light and shadow, reflect Liebermann’s artistic skill and capture the dignity of the sitter. Liebermann's style moved away from traditional academic painting, mirroring the changing attitudes of the time. Looking at the painting, one is struck by the individual character of Bernstein. Liebermann’s impressionistic style captured the complex and changing world. He once stated, "It is not enough to know, one must also feel". This portrait resonates with the historical tensions and creative energies of its era.