The Berlin native Max Liebermann is regarded as the main representative of German Impressionism.
Max Liebermann's art was decisively coined by French Realism, which he became familiarized with during his years in Paris (1873-1878). Like most of his Paris artist colleagues he spent the summer months in the small village of Barbizon - the Pleinairism of the "School of Barbizon" marked the beginning of Max Liebermann's development towards Impressionism. The artist, who also wrote theoretic publications, soon created artistic models in painting, drawing and printing, covering the epoch's characteristic topics: landscape, genre and portrait. The co-founder of the renowned Berlin Secession became president of the Berlin Art Academy in 1920. Despite a certain critical attitude towards the expressionist avant-garde, he still spoke for their acceptance at the academy.
Numerous large retrospective shows and publications over the last decades are proof of the unwaning interest in Max Liebermann and his art.