The artwork, titled “Shoemaker,” was created by Max Liebermann in 1881. It belongs to the Impressionism art movement and is classified under the genre of genre painting.
The artwork depicts an intimate and detailed scene inside a shoemaker’s workshop. Two men are central to the composition, both engrossed in their respective tasks. The man on the left, likely the shoemaker, is seated on a simple wooden chair, fully absorbed in his meticulous work, while the man on the right faces away from the viewer, intent on his own task. The room is dimly lit, illuminated by the natural light streaming through a large window in the background that gives a glimpse of green and pleasant landscape outside. The interior is cluttered with tools, materials, and finished shoes, enriching the authenticity of the scene. Liebermann’s use of loose brushstrokes and attention to the effects of light and shadow exemplifies the Impressionist style, drawing the viewer into the quiet, everyday world of the shoemaker’s craft.
