Burgermeister Dr. Burchard 1911

Max Liebermann made this drypoint etching of Burgermeister Dr. Burchard, sometime in the early 20th century. Look at how Liebermann uses the etched line to define the subject, building up tone through hatching and cross-hatching. The lines, etched into the metal, have a physical presence. You can almost feel the burr of the drypoint as it dragged across the plate. See how the texture varies, from the dense web of lines forming the shadows under the chair, to the sparser, more delicate marks that describe the face. Notice the concentration of lines on the figure’s left trouser leg. These straight marks running against the softer, more organic lines of his suit jacket, create a visual tension. Like Degas, Liebermann was a master of capturing fleeting moments. This print feels like a snapshot, an intimate glimpse into the life of a public figure. It’s a reminder that art is as much about process as it is about the final image, and that the choices an artist makes can shape our perception of the world.