»I. Max Liebermann« – an artist and his international network

While Liebermann was long forgotten after his death in 1935, he has been omnipresent in exhibitions about his time since the end of the 20th century. His painting, considered scandalous in the 19th century, with which Liebermann distanced himself from the Prussian Academy's understanding of art and which made him known as the »apostle of ugliness«, established his reputation today as one of the most important German Impressionists as well as a pioneer of modernism. »I. Max Liebermann – A European Artist« now presents the international context of Liebermann's work more comprehensively than ever before.

From Frans Hals and Rembrandt van Rijn to Édouart Manet and Claude Monet, from whom the Hessisches Landesmuseum juxtaposes selected works with those of Liebermann, Max Liebermann drew inspiration, analyzed them, and formed his own language. Hardly any other artist of this time undertook as many journeys as Liebermann. The relationship of his own culture to others, life as a Jew in society, and the cosmopolitan power of art characterize his work. Liebermann's change from the taught realistic style of painting to his own impressionistic style is explored, as well as his influences on subsequent painters such as Julie Wolfthorn and Max Beckmann. He even had the honor of being appointed president of the Prussian Academy in 1920 in the course of the development of general artistic taste.

A total of 110 paintings are on display in Darmstadt, including some by Liebermann that have never been shown publicly before. The exhibition is accompanied by three film screenings, a panel discussion on November 20, and informative episodes of the museum podcast »Das Grüne Sofa«.