A new episode of the art podcast "Eyes Closed" delves into the life and work of Max Liebermann, the renowned German Impressionist painter who created a dreamy refuge at Lake Wannsee shortly before World War I. The podcast, hosted by Florian Illies and Giovanni di Lorenzo, explores how Liebermann transformed his lakeside retreat into a significant part of art history through the paintings and pastels he created over the following twenty years.
Liebermann's Wannsee estate, featuring its iconic birch tree avenue, water views, vegetable gardens, and the glowing yellow country house in the background, represents one of the most beautiful expressions of German Impressionism. The property, which served as the artist's beloved sanctuary away from the explosive growth of Berlin, has been preserved and is now accessible to the public as a museum, allowing visitors to experience the painter in his favorite environment.
The podcast episode reveals Liebermann's extraordinary personality and artistic evolution. He began his career as a realist and naturalist, making Holland his "painting homeland" before becoming a central figure in Berlin's art scene around the turn of the century. His influence extended beyond his role as a painter to include his work as an art administrator and passionate collector.
As a collector, Liebermann assembled one of Germany's finest collections of French Impressionist works, housed in his residence near the Brandenburg Gate. Before 1914, visitors could hardly find a more beautiful collection of French Impressionist paintings anywhere else in Germany. His collecting passion demonstrated his deep understanding and appreciation of the artistic movements that influenced his own work.
The podcast explores why Liebermann's death in 1935 marked the end of an entire artistic era, as noted by the speaker at his funeral. Despite being described as a gruff person, Liebermann created paintings filled with light and airiness, embodying the essence of German Impressionism. His artistic legacy continues to influence contemporary understanding of the movement.
The museum at his former Wannsee residence now serves as a testament to his artistic vision, preserving both the physical spaces that inspired his work and the paintings that emerged from this creative environment. Visitors can walk through the same gardens and rooms where Liebermann spent his final creative decades, gaining insight into the relationship between the artist and his surroundings that proved so crucial to his later masterpieces.
