Woman's head to the right 1932

Curator: This is Hermann Lismann's "Woman's head to the right," a watercolor and pencil drawing on paper completed in 1932. You can find it here at the Städel Museum. Editor: Haunting! The heavy strokes and her lowered gaze create such a pensive, almost burdened atmosphere. It makes me wonder what she is contemplating... or concealing. Curator: Considering its date, the drawing emerges from a particularly tumultuous period in Germany. As Expressionism faded and social realities became more oppressive, art reflected that shift. Did this impact Lismann's view of women's place at that time? Editor: Precisely. It feels as though the stark style almost tries to see through superficial portraiture conventions to show how external societal pressures weigh heavily. The strong lines, particularly framing her face and neck, gives the impression of restraint… or quiet resolve, actually. I’m drawn to the contrast of muted browns and the deliberate splash of almost defiant, ruby-red lipstick! Curator: The slightly dissonant, almost aggressively juxtaposed blue and red behind her hints at the anxieties of that time, I would suggest, yes. They mirror social tensions that certainly manifested in many contemporary creative communities. Think about the socio-political issues women were experiencing right then... Editor: You are right, of course! She seems caught in a crosscurrent of societal expectations and nascent female independence, poignantly reflected through his creative response. Curator: Also worth mentioning is the materiality—Lismann's expressive use of watercolor allows both vulnerability and strength to emanate from the subject, revealing the emotional layers within this 'modern' woman. Editor: Seeing her through this lens makes the experience more immersive, more vital. The way the artist subtly allows his vision to play with both light and shadow gives a glimpse into a woman on the verge. Thank you, Hermann Lismann! Curator: Absolutely. The drawing encapsulates so much unspoken sentiment... something that the most compelling artwork is capable of achieving.