Impressionism is a direction in art (mainly in painting), which originated in France at the end of the 19th century. Representatives of this direction sought to create completely new ways of conveying the surrounding reality. The world in the paintings of the Impressionists is mobile, changeable, elusive.
The term was first coined by the French journalist Lee Leroy, who took the name of Claude Monet's canvas “Impression. Rising Sun". The word "impression" in French impression. It was from him that the term "impressionism" originated.
One of the main representatives of this trend in painting is considered to be the German artist Max Lieberman. From under his brush came a few dozen paintings.
Biography. early years
The future painter was born on July 20, 1847 in Berlin. His father, Louis Lieberman, was a wealthy Jewish industrialist.
Since childhood, Max Lieberman has shown a passion for drawing, devoting a large amount of time to him almost daily. Parents of the future artist did not limit him in this, but they did not admire his son's enthusiasm, not seeing any further prospects in this.
It is known that at school Lieberman was not very diligent, in the lessons he was restless and often distracted. The future artist could not endure school and constantly went to various tricks to avoid daily sitting at his desk. In particular, he pretended to be sick.
Parents were disappointed with such behavior of Max, their attitude to his hobby worsened. When Lieberman was 13 years old, the first public exhibition of his paintings took place, but his father strictly forbade his son to mention his last name at this event.
Student
After graduating from school, Max Lieberman entered the chemistry department of the Humboldt University of Berlin. However, not at all with the goal of becoming a chemist. The artist rarely appeared in lectures, devoting almost all his time to drawing and riding on horseback in the central city park.
Lieberman also assisted Karl Steffek in the work on his monumental paintings. It was thanks to Steffek that Lieberman’s fateful meeting with Wilhelm Bode - art historian and director of the art museum. Bode was impressed by the works of the young artist and later promoted them in every possible way.
It is not surprising that Max Lieberman was soon expelled for his careless study. There was a conflict with parents who nevertheless allowed their son to attend the Art Academy of the Grand Duke.
Lieberman studied with the Belgian artist Ferdinand Pauwels, who discovered the young man the work of Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn.
Franco-Prussian War
When the Franco-Prussian War began, Lieberman was full of patriotic desire to serve his homeland. Due to physical trauma, he was not accepted for military service and worked as a volunteer nurse on the battlefield.
After the war, artist Max Lieberman went on a trip to the Netherlands. Upon returning to his homeland, he created the painting "Women plucking geese."
In his native Germany, Lieberman's work was not appreciated. For this reason, he decided to leave and went to France.
Subsequent years
In Paris, the artist set up his workshop and hoped to meet local impressionists, but they did not accept him. Lieberman's work continued to receive negative reviews.
After moving to Holland, Max Lieberman tried to find his own style, studying the work of other artists.
Then he returned to Paris. Here the painter began to experience depression, caused by a lack of understanding of his parents and creative stagnation.
In the late 1870s, Lieberman received the fame that brought him the painting "Twelve Years of Jesus in the Temple." The artist continued to travel around Holland. In 1884 he returned to his hometown and married Martha Marquald.
In 1886, Lieberman took part in the exhibition of the Berlin Academy of Arts.
At the beginning of the XX century, the artist changes the direction of his work. If earlier he sought to portray people during his labor activity, now Lieberman, on the contrary, devotes his paintings to the theme of recreation and entertainment. The work of Max Lieberman “Samson and Delilah” refers to this period.
The painter dies on February 8, 1935 in Berlin.
Creation
"Women plucking geese" (1872) - one of the first major works of Max Lieberman. The picture is painted in dark colors. In the foreground are five women plucking feathers from geese; there is also a man holding birds in his hands.
This painting created the image of an artist depicting ugliness for Lieberman. A similar plot disgusted the local public when the picture appeared at an art exhibition.
Another controversial work of the painter is “Twelve Years Old Jesus” (1879). The color scheme again contains predominantly dark shades. The painting depicts the young son of God surrounded by temple attendants.
To a later period is the painting "Tennis by the Sea" (1901). Unlike earlier works, bright colors are used here. The picture depicts men and women playing carefree tennis on the seashore.