hermann lismann – ultrawolvesunderthefullmoon

Hermann Lismann, “Badende Knaben (Nude Boys Bathing)” 1920

Born in 1878, Hermann Lismann was a lecturer in the art of painting and Art Philosophy at the University of Frankfurt. He studied in Rome and Paris in 1904 and belonged to a group of artists who met regularly at the Cafe du Dome in Paris. Because of his being Jewish, he was banned from teaching by the Nazi’s in 1934 and fled to France.

Lismann’s post-impressionist works at the Staedelsches Museum in Frankfurt and at the Museum Wuppertal were confiscated and ultimately disappeared. In 1943 he was arrested by French authorities and deported to the Concentration Camp Majdanck where he died in 1943. A memorial by the Frankfurt Kunstuerein was held in 1959 and surprisingly, some 132 examples of his works went on exhibition.

Hermann Lismann, “Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta”, Date Unknown, Oil on Canvas

Born in Munich, Hermann Lismann belonged to the group of artists that met regularly at the Café du Dôme. After serving in the German army in World War I, he settled in Frankfurt, where many of his works were acquired by the local museum, and where for several years he taught aesthetics at the university.

After the rise of Hitler Lismann immigrated to France, residing in Tours. He was interned by the French at the outbreak of World War II as an enemy alien, but managed to escape to Montauban near Toulouse, in the unoccupied zone. However, in 1943 Lismann was deported to his death in the extermination camp of Majdanek.

Lismann’s post-impressionist works in the Staedelsches Museum at Frankfurt and in the museum of Wuppertal, were confiscated by the Nazis and disappeared. Nevertheless, a memorial exhibition held by the Frankfurt Kunstverein in 1959 was able to assemble 132 of his works.