Portrait 

This is a portrait by Max Liebermann, rendered through etching on a plate, with the sheet measuring just over 20 inches in height. Liebermann, living through both World Wars and the rise of Nazism, offers here more than just a likeness. The sitter's composed demeanor, hands clasped, speaks to a certain class and privilege amidst the tumultuous backdrop of European history. But look closer—the etching, with its stark lines and contrasts, hints at the unease beneath the surface. Liebermann, himself grappling with identity as a Jewish artist in an increasingly hostile environment, captures a sense of vulnerability. The portrait becomes a study in how identity is both performed and perceived, especially in times of social upheaval. Consider how Liebermann navigates the traditional form of portraiture while subtly infusing it with the anxieties of his time, inviting us to reflect on the weight of history carried in a single gaze.