Der Berg Montserrat mit dem Benediktinerkloster Santa Maria de Montserrat 1928

Hermann Lismann made this drawing of the monastery in Montserrat with ink and wash, using confident marks which give a sense of the light in the landscape. I love the energy in this piece, it feels like the artist was right there, quickly capturing the scene. Look at the way the ink washes over the paper, creating these moody greys that give such depth. The mountains are built up with bold, dark strokes, contrasting with the lighter, more delicate details of the monastery. It’s all about the physicality of the medium, right? The way the ink bleeds and pools, creating texture and atmosphere. There’s a raw, immediate quality to it. The landscape isn't just seen, it's felt. It reminds me a bit of Emil Nolde, with that same expressive use of colour and form, though maybe a little more restrained. It shows how artists are always in conversation with each other, borrowing and riffing on ideas across time. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to see the world with new eyes, to embrace the beauty and ambiguity of the creative process.