San Domenico, Siena 1923

Hermann Lismann made this ink drawing, 'San Domenico, Siena,' in 1923, likely on location. The quick, confident marks give the impression that Lismann was trying to capture not just the likeness of the place, but also the feeling of being there, maybe the heat or a breeze. I think a lot about the physical qualities of a piece. In this drawing, Lismann's marks are sometimes thick, sometimes thin. He uses the ink almost like watercolor in places, letting it bleed and stain the paper. Look at the rooftops in the foreground. The ink pools and settles in a way that gives them weight and texture, while the lines that define their edges are sharp and precise. It reminds me a little of Lyonel Feininger's architectural drawings – that same balance of precision and expressiveness, but with a touch more warmth. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation, building on what came before and pushing in new directions. There are many ways to see and capture the world, and Lismann's drawing is just one, beautiful possibility.