Uhlenhorster Fährhaus © Max Liebermann 1910
Max Liebermann
14 works
Key Takeaways
Max Liebermann's prints maintain steady market performance, with individual works typically fetching between £2,000 and £5,000. His waterfront scenes and garden views are particularly sought after, with Landschaft Am Wannsee Mit Segelbooten (1926) achieving a record £7,691. Authentication requires thorough examination of paper quality, printing technique, and provenance, with reference to Schiefler's catalogue raisonné. Print editions vary from 20 to 100, with artist's proofs marked "Probedruck" particularly valued. The German market remains strongest, with notable price increases following events such as the 2020 Bastian Gallery retrospective in Berlin.
Max Liebermann brought Impressionism to Germany, creating artwork that bridged French and German artistic traditions at the turn of the 20th century. His prints capture everyday scenes of Dutch peasant life, bustling beer gardens, and peaceful moments in his own garden, translating his masterful handling of light and shadow into the monochromatic medium of etching. This guide aims to support sellers navigating the market for Liebermann's prints, offering detailed insights into valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
Throughout his career, Liebermann demonstrated exceptional skill in printmaking, particularly with etchings. Working primarily between 1890 and 1930, Liebermann produced prints that documented both rural and urban life, from farmers at work to sophisticated cafe society, always maintaining the spontaneous, sketch-like quality that characterised his style. His prints, like his paintings, capture atmosphere, movement, and a sense of nostalgia that the viewer is invited to share.
How Much Do Max Liebermann Prints Sell For?
As a pioneer of German Impressionism and an artist with a captivating history of controversy and tragedy, Liebermann is continually popular among collectors. The market for his prints has remained consistently strong, with a gradual increase in value over the past few decades. Individual Liebermann prints typically achieve between £2,000 and £5,000, with significant pieces fetching higher prices.
Most popular among his prints are Liebermann’s depictions of waterfront or rural scenes. Locations such as Uhlenhorst in Hamburg and views from his villa on Berlin’s Wannsee lake are particularly popular. Landschaft Am Wannsee Mit Segelbooten (1926), for example, depicting a tranquil view of some boats on the lake through the trees, sold for £7,691 in 2021, setting the record for a Liebermann print at auction. Uhlenhorster Fährhaus (1910), a depiction of boats on the water of the Außenalster, sold for £6,802 in 2011. Prints from his series of garden views, such as Haus Am Wannsee (1926), are sought after for their personal connection to the artist’s day-to-day life.
Over his career, Liebermann occasionally produced portfolios of prints to accompany the work of reputable writers. One recent sale, in 2021, proves the enduring value of these story-telling images. A collection of 36 woodcut prints designed to accompany Goethe’s The Man of Fifty Years sold for £4,446 in Berlin. Portfolios featuring the accompanying text of art critics and historians rarely appear for sale; however, when they do, this added context also adds value. In May 2024, a collection of 14 etchings accompanied by commentary from Richard Graul sold in Hamburg for £6,377.
Other popular themes in Liebermann’s work include side profiles of women reading or sewing, and depictions of people at the beach, sometimes swimming. His Lesendes Mädchen (1896), for example, was printed in a series of different versions, some colour and some black-and-white; the print, popular because of the softness, intimacy, and affection it captures, has appeared multiple times at auction in the past 20 years, regularly exceeding its estimate.
How Do You Authenticate a Max Liebermann Print?
Authentication of a Liebermann print begins with careful examination of its provenance. Documentation of ownership history, including gallery receipts, exhibition catalogues, and correspondence, provides crucial evidence of authenticity, giving buyers peace of mind as well as bolstering the estimated value. The artist's connection to prominent German galleries, particularly Paul Cassirer in Berlin, means that early gallery stamps can strongly support any later documentation.
Examining the materials used in the printmaking process can help to align your print with Liebermann’s known practices. For example, the artist worked primarily with traditional etching techniques, often combining drypoint for atmospheric effects. Paper quality and type should correspond to those available in Germany during Liebermann's lifetime, with many of his prints produced on high-quality wove paper from German manufacturers. Some prints, however, are printed on handmade Japanese papers.
The definitive catalogue raisonné of Liebermann's prints, compiled by Gustav Schiefler and published in 1907, with a supplement in 1923, remains the primary reference for authentication. This catalogue documents variations between states and editions, helping to verify the authenticity of individual impressions. Prints created after this time can be verified against resources such as gallery catalogues or the records of the Max Liebermann Society.
Edition & Signature
Liebermann typically signed his prints “MLiebermann,” in pencil in the lower right margin, using a distinctive flowing script. His signature maintained remarkable consistency throughout his career, though it became slightly less fluid in his later years. Edition numbers, when present, appear in the lower left margin, though many early prints were not formally numbered.
Print editions varied considerably in size, with some limited to just 20 impressions while others reached 100 or more. Artist's proofs, marked "Probedruck" or simply "Probe," are particularly valued. Liebermann often made subtle adjustments between proofs, creating variations that appeal to serious collectors; in rarer cases, such as with Lesendes Mädchen (1896), the differences within editions can be significant, making the process of authentication more challenging.
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Has Your Max Liebermann Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
Condition assessment of Liebermann prints requires particular attention to the delicate etching lines and tonal variations that characterise his work. The artist favoured fine wove papers, often from German manufacturers like Zanders, which, while generally stable, can be susceptible to foxing and acid burn over time.
The rich blacks and subtle greys of Liebermann's etchings are particularly vulnerable to fading through light exposure. His innovative use of drypoint to create atmospheric effects results in especially delicate burr marks that can be easily worn down through improper handling or storage. The presence of these original burr marks significantly enhances both the visual impact and value of his prints.
Paper discolouration, particularly around the edges, can severely impact value. Many Liebermann prints have historically been mounted using adhesives that have caused browning over time. Professional conservation may be necessary to address these issues while maintaining the print's integrity.
Proper storage requires acid-free materials and protection from light and humidity fluctuations. Prints should be stored flat to prevent undulation of the paper, which can disturb the careful balance of light and shadow in Liebermann's compositions.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Max Liebermann print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Max Liebermann Print?
A well-timed sale of your Liebermann print can make a vast difference in its final value. You should consider both the cyclical nature of the art market and the schedule of cultural events relating to Liebermann and German Impressionism. Recent years have seen renewed interest in German Impressionism, with several major exhibitions sparking increased collector attention.
Major exhibitions and retrospectives are key drivers of print value. The 2024 exhibition, Max Liebermann – An Impressionist from Berlin, at Casa di Goethe in Rome was the first retrospective of the artist’s work in Italy, opening up Liebermann’s work to a potentially new audience. Anniversary years can also create opportune selling moments. The 25th anniversary of the Max Liebermann Society in 2020 prompted a comprehensive exhibition at the Bastian Gallery in Berlin, one of Liebermann’s key markets. It was following this exhibition that the record price for a Liebermann print was achieved at a Berlin auction.
MyArtBroker offers advanced art tech tools to help you determine the optimal time to sell. Our MyPortfolio service features an AI-powered value indicator that provides real-time valuations of individual prints based on both public and private sales data. Combined with our complimentary valuations, we can help ensure your print achieves maximum value by selling at the perfect moment.
Where Can I Sell My Max Liebermann Print?
Selling a Max Liebermann Via a Broker
Art brokers specialising in German modernism offer a more flexible approach to selling Liebermann prints. These professionals can develop targeted marketing strategies and often maintain relationships with serious collectors of German art. Broker fees generally range from 10% to 20%, and the process allows for more control over timing and presentation. Working with a broker can be particularly advantageous for prints that might appeal to specific collectors, such as those focusing on German Impressionism. The personalised service can help achieve optimal results through careful matching of prints with interested buyers. Established brokers often have connections with museums and institutions collecting German Modernist works, potentially opening additional avenues for sales. Their expertise in navigating the specific challenges of selling historical German prints, including provenance research and export regulations, can be invaluable.
Selling a Max Liebermann Via Auction House
Leading auction houses include Liebermann's prints in their sales of German art and works on paper. These venues offer international exposure and can be particularly effective for rare or important impressions. The competitive environment of an auction can drive prices upward, especially for prints with strong provenance or unusual characteristics. However, auction house fees typically reach 25% of the hammer price, and success depends heavily on current market conditions and the quality of other works in the sale. The rigid scheduling of auctions may also mean waiting several months for an appropriate sale. German auction houses like Bassenge in Berlin and Karl & Faber in Munich have particular expertise in handling Liebermann's work, often achieving strong results through their specialist knowledge and targeted marketing to collectors of German Impressionism. Their carefully curated sales can provide ideal contexts for presenting Liebermann prints to informed buyers.
To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.
Selling a Max Liebermann Via Online Marketplace
Online platforms provide access to a global audience, potentially enabling faster sales with lower fees than traditional channels. However, selling valuable prints online presents unique challenges, particularly regarding authentication and proper valuation. For significant Liebermann prints, online sales should be approached cautiously and only through specialised platforms with robust verification processes. While digital platforms might seem to offer wider reach, they often lack the expertise necessary to properly contextualise and value his prints. Some specialised online platforms have developed expertise in handling historical European prints, offering services such as condition reports and provenance research. These venues might be suitable for more straightforward examples of Liebermann's work, particularly his better-documented later prints. However, for rare impressions or prints with complex histories, traditional sales channels with established expertise in German Modernism remain more reliable options. The personal guidance and market knowledge provided by established dealers and auction houses can be crucial in achieving appropriate values for significant Liebermann prints.
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When it comes to selling artwork, achieving the best price hinges on accessing a niche market with an established collector community. If you're looking to sell a print, turning to a specialist in the print market, like MyArtBroker, yields superior results compared to approaching an auction house, which caters to broader categories of artwork.
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Read our cohesive report to navigate the art market as a seller: A Guide to Selling Prints in the Current Market.
Max Liebermann Collection Management with MyPortfolio
In addition to our live trading floor, MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio serves as a collection management system, empowering collectors to curate and oversee their prints and editions collection. This feature grants users access to our print market database, uniquely tied to our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This algorithm scans and analyses both public auction and private sales data to determine real time valuations of individual print works, factoring in various aspects such as condition, colour, and other factors affecting value.
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