Liebermann and the Jacob

1902 was an important year for the ‘Jacob’: Max Liebermann visited the Elbe-City following the  invitation of Alfred Lichtwark, at the time the director of the Hamburg Art Gallery, who asked him to participate in a ‘Pictures from Hamburg’ campaign. As a result, the impressionist painted the Louis C. Jacob’s already famous Lime Tree Terrace , he also stayed in one of the hotel rooms overlooking the Elbe during his summer visit. Today our ’Liebermann Room’ in the oldest part of the house is entirely dedicated to the artist.

The painting became famous for its simplicity and atmospheric effect and  is a masterpiece of German impressionism. The original is now one of the greatest attractions at the Hamburg Art Gallery. In the same year Liebermann painted the Lime Tree Terrace for a second time, this time with a view down river , however this work went missing for many years. Following its sensational rediscovery in the 1990s, it was bought by the Rahe Family, hence this historically important work of art became the most impressive and famous element of the hotel’s collection, today it crowns the art concept of the ‘Jacob’ – with pride of place in the lobby.