Quai in Hamburg 1900 - 1902

Max Liebermann made this watercolor, 'Quai in Hamburg,' using washes of diluted pigment to capture the misty atmosphere. The process here feels immediate, almost like a quick sketch done on the spot. Look at how the water reflects the sky, a hazy blend of blues and grays, achieved with such thin layers of paint. It's like Liebermann barely touched the paper, allowing the whiteness to shine through and create a sense of light. See that dark, smudgy area defining the boats? It's not about precision but about conveying the essence of the scene, a harbor bustling with activity but shrouded in a quiet, overcast day. It reminds me a little of Whistler’s nocturnes, that same interest in capturing a mood through subtle color and tone, but Liebermann feels more grounded, more connected to the everyday. It’s a conversation between artists across time, each finding their own way to interpret the world.