Jewish Street in Amsterdam 1908

Max Liebermann made this painting, Jewish Street in Amsterdam, with oil on canvas. There’s a casualness to the way Liebermann builds the scene here, a rhythm between the dabs and dashes of pigment. You can almost feel the energy of the crowd. The beauty of this painting lies in its textured surface; thick strokes describe the figures and architecture. Look at the stall in the foreground, laden with fresh produce. Notice how Liebermann uses different shades of green, yellow, and white to create a sense of depth and volume. The application feels so immediate, so present. I think that the wheel on the produce stall is an interesting focal point. It could almost be a later abstract painting, but the context of its figurative surroundings makes it a representational element. Liebermann’s work, with its emphasis on light and movement, reminds me a little of the Impressionists. But he brings a certain earthiness, a groundedness, to his scenes that feels very much his own. I think art is just an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.