Portrait of Otto Gerstenberg 1920

Editor: Here we have Max Liebermann's "Portrait of Otto Gerstenberg," a drawing rendered in ink on paper. It feels intimate, even vulnerable. What can you tell me about this man and the context surrounding this image? Curator: Liebermann, as a Jewish artist, faced increasing marginalization in Germany leading up to WWII. Considering this, how does this seemingly straightforward portrait function as a quiet act of resistance, preserving the image of a patron within a shifting social landscape? Editor: Resistance through portraiture? That's a fascinating way to look at it. I never considered that. Curator: Portraits are seldom neutral. Who is represented, and how, always carries a sociopolitical charge. What does Liebermann's choice of Gerstenberg, a prominent figure, communicate during such tumultuous times? Editor: So, it’s more than just a likeness; it's a statement. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the context allows us to excavate the deeper layers of meaning embedded within the artwork. Editor: Thank you; that really opens up a new way of seeing it.