Tossa de Mar 

Hermann Lismann captured this view of Tossa de Mar with brush and India ink on paper. The hilltop town retains a medieval charm, evident in the cylindrical tower dominating the composition and the sturdy stone walls in the foreground. Lismann was part of a generation of German artists who traveled extensively, seeking out picturesque locales. The Spanish coast, with its rich history and distinct regional cultures, held particular appeal. This sketch likely served as a study for a larger painting. It's also an exercise in visual codes: the high vantage point offers a sense of control, while the contrast between the dark foreground and the lighter buildings beyond creates depth. The tower itself becomes a symbol of the town's past, a reminder of the fortifications that once protected it. A historian researching this image might consult travel guides from the period, along with studies of the artistic exchange between Germany and Spain. This work shows us how something like a landscape is always shaped by cultural and institutional forces.