The writer Martin Mosebach and the painter Peter Schermuly first met in 1972. Their friendship lasted until the latter's death in June 2007. Whenever they met, Schermuly took the opportunity to paint or sketch Mosebach while experimenting with colour, texture or new painting techniques. Many of those pictures remained studies, a selection of which is included in this book. The older artist, wholly and entirely a painter and a profound connoisseur of European art, took great interest in the coming-of-age of the writer who, in turn, was able to follow and document the unfolding of the painter's oeuvre. Countless conversations on art and painting were held during their sessions at Schermuly's studio. Mosebach remembers them vividly and lets his readers share in them. This book, abundant with passionate views, profound insight and sparkling wit, offers a refreshingly idiosyncratic guide to European art history and tradition.

MARTIN MOSEBACH, born 1951, lives in Frankfurt am Main. He has received many awards for his literary work, including the Heimito-von-Doderer Prize, the Kranichstein Literary Prize and the Georg-Büchner Prize. His published works include "Westend" (1992), "Eine lange Nacht" (2000), "Häresie der Formlosigkeit" (2002) ["The heresy of formlessness" (2006), expanded edition 2018], "Das Beben" (2005), "Schöne Literatur" ( 2006), "Der Mond und das Mädchen" (2007), "Stadt der wilden Hunde" (2008) and "Was davor geschah" (2010) ["What was before" 2014], "Der Ultramontane" (2012) , "Peter Schermuly, Catalog raisonné" (2015), Hirmer Verlag München (english edition available), "Die 21" (2018) ["The 21" 2018]. His collection of essays entitled "Du sollst dir ein Bild machen. Über alte und neue Meister" was published by zu Klampen in 2005.