German painter captures Lucknow's charm on canvas

Time of India

09-07-2025

Marcel Wissing (BCCL/ Painting courtesy - Marcel Wissing)
Cycling across India with a sketchbook and canvas roll tucked into his bike bag, German artist, Marcel Wissing is painting his way through the country's cities, one canvas at a time.
As a part of his Painting and Cycling Around India series, Marcel arrived in Lucknow this week and found himself captivated by the city's stunning architectural marvels. 'I started my journey by bicycle from Hyderabad six months ago, travelling along the eastern coast to Sikkim and onwards to Kathmandu. I've explored Visakhapatnam and Kolkata on this painting journey as well. Then I stopped in Lucknow for two days, but the city's architectural grandeur made me stay a few days longer,' says Marcel.
BCCL
'The city has a warmth and a rich culture'
Marcel calls his experience of painting in Lucknow warm and cultural. 'There is palpable warmth in Lucknow. I come from Barcelona, where people are used to seeing artists on the streets. But the response in India is different, especially in Lucknow, people stopped to see me paint. They're curious and welcoming, they stay, ask questions and like to engage with art. It is through the paintings that I take these experiences back home,' he said, adding that locals even made Instagram reels of his painting sessions.
Marcel Wissing
'Lucknow's architecture has become my muse'
Caught standing near the iconic Rumi Gate with a canvas stand and paint brushes, where curious Lucknowites gathered to watch him bring the monument to life on a canvas, Marcel shares how his journey to Lucknow became all about discovering the city's architecture. 'Being based in Barcelona, Spain, I have always been surrounded by the finest architecture that I thought couldn't be matched.
But to my surprise, Lucknow's architecture has taken me aback.
It became my muse since I arrived in the city,' says the artist.
With over 65k followers on Instagram (@wibo_arte), Marcel's visit also brought together local artists who joined him on this artistic voyage. Urban sketcher Srishti Ved Singh joined him for a painting session at Rumi Darwaza. 'I was mesmerised by how he paints while connecting with locals in every city, which I saw on Instagram. Painting alongside him was like living my dream. We painted the majestic Rumi Gate together,' she shared.
After his artistic experience in Lucknow, Marcel is set to continue his painting journey on the bicycle to Agra, Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali and Ladakh.
-Amina Ashraf