Max Liebermann

Acquired by the grandfather of the present owner in the early 1930s

The panel is sound. There is a 1cm. thin line of retouching to the upper left edge and a 1cm. line of retouching to the left of the lower edge. All retouching is visible under UV light. There are two small chips to the panel with associated paint losses, to the left of the lower edge and to the left of the upper edge respectively. Apart from an uneven varnish throughout the panel, this work is in good condition. Colours: The colours are much richer, particularly the pinks and the reds, in the original.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Max Liebermann discovered the coast and sea as a subject matter around 1896, whilst working in Holland. Until 1911, he returned to Holland almost every year and produced a large body of works devoted to the beaches of Scheveningen and Noordwijk. Liebermann seemingly appears to be following the French Impressionist tradition as well as Dutch painters of the Hague school.

The present work probably depicts the beach of Noordwijk, a site to which Liebermann returned numerous times and found inspiration for his paintings during the summers he spent there. Liebermann portrays young bathers safely overseen by a guard, making the viewer almost a participant in the playful activities of the beach. The bold brushstrokes evoke Van Gogh, whose landscape paintings Liebermann had encountered and admired during this period.