The Road to the School in Edam

Max Liebermann. "The Road to the School in Edam" German artist Max Liebermann played an important role in the German artistic life at the turn of the 20th century. Having studied the basics of art in Germany, Liebermann moved to Paris in the 1870s. There, he became acquainted with the works of Gustave Courbet, Francois Millet, and then the impressionists. Despite learning the French artistic language and method of painting, Liebermann still preserved his original style. He painted his best works in Germany, where he was famous not only for his art, but also for his organization activities. He founded the Berlin Secession and was the president of the Berlin Academy of Arts for a while. His draw to impressionism can be seen in his paintings from the 1870-80s, including The Road to the School in Edam. This common scene of children going to school is imbued with a special inner rhythm. Sunshine pouring through treetops and onto the road reflects on children’s figures and the ground, conveying the joyful feeling of a summer day. The volant texture of painting with energetic brush strokes strengthens the feeling of movement. Color and light modeling interact in a very subtle manner. The artist uses a surprisingly light-colored palette, where local tones dominate. At the same time, it is structured and restrained.