Artwork
Max Beerbohm
Max Beerbohm is a print by the Impressionist artist William Rothenstein. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
William Rothenstein’s 1898 print depicts the writer and caricaturist Max Beerbohm. Executed in pencil, the image is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and presents the sitter in a restrained, introspective pose.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Beerbohm with short dark hair, turned slightly to his right. He is dressed in a white high‑collared shirt, with a jacket casually draped over his left arm, set against an unadorned white backdrop, suggesting a focus on the individual rather than any narrative setting.
Technique & Style
Rothenstein employs varied pencil strokes to model the texture of the clothing and the sheen of the hair, creating subtle tonal contrasts. The handling of light and shadow gives the figure a three‑dimensional presence while maintaining a calm, contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1898, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in late‑19th‑century British portraiture and the work of Rothenstein, a notable figure in that period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir William Rothenstein was an English painter, printmaker, draughtsman, lecturer, and writer on art.
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