Portrait of a Man 

Max Liebermann created this etching, titled "Portrait of a Man," capturing a subject who seems to embody the spirit of his time. Liebermann was a leading figure in German Impressionism, and as a Jewish artist, he navigated a complex social landscape marked by both cultural achievement and rising antisemitism. This portrait encapsulates the intersection of identity and representation in a period of significant social change. Look closely at the man’s gaze, there’s a sense of introspection, perhaps even vulnerability. Liebermann does not portray his sitter as a stereotype, but rather as an individual, resisting the dehumanizing narratives that were becoming increasingly prevalent in European society. It’s interesting to consider how Liebermann, as an artist who faced discrimination, used portraiture to assert the humanity of his subjects. The emotional depth of this image invites us to reflect on the importance of empathy.