The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus in the Temple
Max Liebermann · 1879
Why it's great
A boy Jesus speaks with scholars in a temple, with a look of calm. Max Liebermann painted Jesus as a Jewish boy among Jewish teachers, which was shocking to some people in 1879 who wanted him portrayed in a more traditional way. The painting caused a big controversy in Germany. It shows how Liebermann challenged expectations from the start.
Where to see it
📍 Hamburger KunsthalleHamburg, Germany
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Max Liebermann was born in Berlin to a wealthy Jewish family and became the leading German Impressionist. He painted workers, beer gardens and gardens, and he served as president of the Prussian Academy of Arts. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, he was forced to give up his positions. He died in Berlin in 1935.
