Artwork
Die Professoren Karl Kraepelin, Richard Schorr und Georg Thilenius
Die Professoren Karl Kraepelin, Richard Schorr und Georg Thilenius is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Max Liebermann. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1905, this oil painting by Max Liebermann portrays three university professors seated together. The work is part of the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle and exemplifies Liebermann’s mature phase, when he was a prominent figure in German Impressionism.
Subject & Meaning
The three figures—Karl Kraepelin, Richard Schorr and Georg Thilenius—are rendered in formal attire, each with distinct facial features: a balding man with a moustache, a short‑haired figure with a goatee, and a receding‑hairline gentleman also sporting a moustache. Their composed demeanor suggests a scholarly gathering, emphasizing the intellectual stature of the subjects.
Technique & Style
Liebermann employs loose, impressionistic brushwork to model light and texture, while maintaining enough detail to convey the individuality of each professor. The muted background serves to isolate the figures, allowing the subtle interplay of light on the dark suits and white shirts to create depth and a realistic presence.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Hamburger Kunsthalle, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on early‑20th‑century German art and highlights Liebermann’s role in documenting contemporary academic life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Max Liebermann (20 July 1847 – 8 February 1935) was a German painter and printmaker, and one of the leading proponents of Impressionism in Germany and continental Europe.
