Studie van een voorovergebogen vrouwenfiguur 1857 - 1935

This is a study of a woman drawn by Max Liebermann in pencil on paper. Liebermann was a leading figure in German Impressionism and his work often depicted scenes of everyday life. Consider the social context of late 19th and early 20th century Germany. Rapid industrialization and urbanization were transforming society, and Liebermann, as a Jewish artist, was navigating a complex and often discriminatory social landscape. His choice of subject matter, often focusing on working-class people, reflects an interest in the lives of ordinary citizens, connecting him to the broader European Realist tradition. The lack of idealization in this study points to a modern sensibility, one that is not afraid to depict the human form without embellishment. To understand Liebermann's artistic choices fully, research into the cultural politics of Wilhelmine Germany is invaluable, as well as study of the institutional framework of the Berlin art scene. Ultimately, it allows us to appreciate how Liebermann navigated the expectations and limitations of his time.