BE - Fine Arts

1999

BE -- Fine Arts

Die Antikensammlung: Altes Museum, Pergamonmuseum [Classical Antiquities Collection: Altes Museum, Pergamon Museum]. Ed. Brigitte Knittlmayer for the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. 2d completely rev. ed. Mainz: von Zabern, 1998. 292 p. ill. 24 cm. ISBN 3-8053-2449-9: DM 78.00; ISBN 3-8053-2457-X (Museum's ed.) [99-1/4-228] That this second, very changed edition appears only six years after the publication of the original catalog of the classical collections held in East Berlin's Pergamon museum and in Charlottenburg is indicative of the recent changes in the Berlin museum landscape. With the reuniting of the two German states has come a new ordering and consolidation of the formerly separated Berlin classical antiquity collections.

Not only has this new edition shrunk by twenty pages, but also the contents have changed. Fewer items from the Pergamon Museum are included, and more from the "new" Altes Museum, also in eastern Berlin, which has incorporated the collection previously housed in West Berlin's Charlottenburg building. The descriptions carried over have been reworked to some extent and bibliographies updated. Many of the photographs, however, remain the same or only slightly altered; photographs are inconsistently presented.

This work is not especially useful as a visitor guide, but it provides a good picture of the unique holdings of both of these major Berlin museums. The new edition makes clear the relationship between the two collections, their arrangement and classification. The first edition is still valuable for its texts and pictures, especially with regard to items not included in the second edition. Thus, the new edition should be purchased, but also the old one retained. [jm/baw]

Thüringen [Thuringia]. Ed. Stephanie Eißing for the Thüringisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege. München: Deutscher Kunstverlag, 1998. xii, 1,467 p. ill. 19 cm. (Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler) ISBN 3-422-03050-6: DM 98.00 [99-1/4-230] The reunification of Germany provided the impetus for a new edition of Georg Dehio's 1905 Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler (Handbook of German Art and Architecture). With volumes on Thuringia and Saxony-Leipzig/Chemnitz appearing in 1998, following volumes for Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Bremen and Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, as well as for Saxony-Dresden, the set is well under way.

The new volumes follow the plan of the original edition, including divisions by type (Buildings and Houses, Fountains and Monuments, Museums and Collections) based on location of the object. Information presented is brief and descriptive.

The Thuringia volume is the first such survey of architecture and artworks there since the 1905 edition, which scattered the Thuringian pieces throughout the volumes for Middle Germany. Because of geographic and border changes in the Thuringian state during the twentieth century, this volume is the first ever to present these artworks within the setting of Thuringia alone.

This handbook is of the highest quality and of extraordinary value for all who are interested in the Thuringian artistic landscape. [ak/baw]

Sachsen [Saxony]. Ed. Dehio-Vereinigung. München: Deutscher Kunstverlag. 19 cm. (Handbuch der deutschen Kunstdenkmäler) [99-1/4-231]

Vol. 2. Regierungsbezirke Leipzig und Chemnitz [Leipzig and Chemnitz Administrative Districts]. Ed. Barbara Bechter, Wiebke Fastenrath, Heinrich Magirius et al. 1998. xi, 1,172 p. ill. ISBN 3-422-03048-4: DM 98.00

This is the second volume for Saxony; the first volume, covering Dresden, appeared in 1996. Unlike for Thuringia, for Saxony there has been a continuity in description and presentation of artwork inventories; nevertheless this is a notable contribution.

This volume incorporates the plan of the original Dehio handbook and thus, too, its weaknesses. For example, its divisions by place and type lead to descriptions of parts of major architectural areas, such as that of the Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, being widely dispersed throughout the volume, thus detracting from a genuine experience of the church and its surroundings as a whole. This, combined with the lack of useful maps for the location of objects, means that this volume can serve only as a work of reference, not as a guide for the visitor. Yet, as a reference work, the volume is not completely satisfactory either, lacking cross-references and an index to the objects described. Nonetheless, this is a major volume in an important series. [ak/baw]

Werner Klemke: Lebensbild und Bibliographie seines buchkünstlerischen Werkes [Werner Klemke: Biography and Bibliography of his Works of Book Art]. Horst Kunze. Rudolstadt: Burgart-Presse, 1999. 260 p. ill. 31 cm. (Bibliographischer Druck der Burgart-Presse Jens Henkel, 5) ISBN 3-910206-30-1: DM 150.00 (regular ed.), DM 1,400.00 (special ed. A), DM 350.00 (special ed. B) [99-1/4-255] Horst Kunze was the director of the German State Library (Deutsche Staatsbibliothek) in East Berlin from 1951 to 1976 and one of the leading German authorities on book arts and illustration. A personal friend of Werner Klemke and editor of his collected works (Werner Klemkes Gesammelte Werke, 3d ed., 1977), Kunze compiled this bibliography of the prolific East German graphic artist and book illustrator, who died in 1994. A twenty-six-page introduction to Klemke's life and work is followed by the main body of the bibliography, divided into three sections, each of which is chronological: (1) unpublished material; (2) published material; (3) theater programs. The second section, by far the longest, lists all of the books Klemke illustrated or for which he designed the cover or binding. Full bibliographic citations are followed by annotations that include information such as number of illustrations, technique applied, awards, and further editions of the same book. An appendix contains texts by Werner Klemke, a bibliography of secondary literature about Klemke, and an alphabetical index of authors and titles of the illustrated books. Because of the unparalleled expertise of the author, the comprehensiveness of the listings, and the care with which this beautifully illustrated volume was compiled, it will long stand as the authoritative source for collectors and others interested in the works of Werner Klemke and in the book art of the German Democratic Republic. [sh/hh] Hans Alexander Müller: das buchkünstlerische Werk [The Book Art of Hans Alexander Müller]. Uli Eichhorn and Ronald Salter. Rudolstadt: Burgart-Presse, 1997. 147 p. ill. 31 cm. (Bibliographischer Druck der Burgart-Presse Jens Henkel, 4). ISBN 3-910206-22-0: DM 130.00 (regular ed.), (special ed. out-of-print) [99-1/4-257] Published in the same series as the volume on Werner Klemke discussed above, this bibliography covers the book art of Hans Alexander Müller, who worked at the Leipzig Academy for Graphic and Book Arts (Leipziger Akademie für Graphische Künste und Buchgewerbe) until his emigration to the U.S.A. in 1937. A lengthy introduction to Müller's work is followed by a bibliography, which is divided into three sections: (1) illustrated books and print portfolios; (2) collaborations, individual illustrations, covers, bindings, and illustrated supplements; (3) illustrations in journals, brochures, and catalogs. Several specialized lists follow, including a list of biographical dates and an index to Müller's book illustrations. This beautifully typeset and richly illustrated volume sold out quickly in its deluxe edition. [sh/hh] Bildwörterbuch der Architektur [Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture]. Hans Koepf. Ed. Günther Binding. 3d rev. and expanded ed. With a glossary of terms in English, French and Italian. Stuttgart: Kröner, 1999. ix, 634 p. ill. 18 cm. (Kröners Taschenausgabe, 194) ISBN 3-520-19403-1: DM 49.00 [99-1/4-232] Although the title has gone through a number of printings, Günther Binding's third edition is the first real revision of Koepf's Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture, originally published in 1968. Whereas the first edition contained 2,400 terms and 1,300 illustrations on 450 pages, the revised and expanded edition offers 3,000 terms and the same number of illustrations as before on some 650 pages.

The content focuses on the elements of European architectural structures and omits terminology from the fields of structural engineering and architectural history. New features include a short list of abbreviations, a section on secondary literature organized by subject, and subject glossaries with translations of English, French, and Italian terms into German. Also, older works have been replaced by citations to more recent publications, and journal articles are now included. Despite organizational inconsistencies, the third edition of the Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture is recommended for purchase without reservation, especially because of its favorable price. However, owners of an earlier edition will want to hold on to it as well, because it contains more extensive lists of secondary literature and examples of architectural examples than does the new edition. [aw/mjc]

Hatje-Lexikon der Architektur des 20. Jahrhunderts [The Hatje Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Architecture]. Ed. Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani; trans. Bettina Aldor-Witsch. Rev. ed. of Lexikon der Architektur des 20. Jahrhunderts [Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Architecture]. Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje, 1998. 438 p. ill. 25 cm. ISBN 3-7757-0738-7: DM 78.00 [99-1/4-234] This work originally appeared in 1963 under the title Knaurs Lexikon der modernen Architektur and in a paperback edition in 1966. In 1983 the work was published under the current title. The 1998 version is a revised and expanded reworking of that edition. In general, older entries have been revised, some omitted, secondary literature updated, and older illustrations replaced by more current ones. The overview of the history of modern architecture that was included in the first edition is lacking, however. Articles cover architects and architect groups, trends, and schools, as well as representations of the architectural history of individual countries. The focus is on Europe, and the bibliography consists predominantly of monographs with a few journal articles. Because of its lack of thoroughness and consistency, this publication is not a quick-reference source, but rather a history of architecture in an encyclopedic form. Its particular value lies in the fact that it covers the architects who have shaped the architecture of the twentieth century and documents their influence on the history of the field. As a compact presentation of the architecture of our century, it is a solid work at an acceptable price, equally suitable for research and public libraries. [aw/mjc] Neue Werkkunst: Architektenmonographien der zwanziger Jahre; mit einer Basis-Bibliographie deutschsprachiger Architekturpublikationen 1918-1933 [New Directions in Architecture and Design: Architectural Monographs of the 1920s with a Core Bibliography of German-language Architectural Publications 1918-1933]. Roland Jaeger. Berlin: Mann, 1998 [publ. 1999].185 p. ill. 27 cm. ISBN 3-7861-1847-7: DM 148.00 [99-1/4-238] Neue Werkkunst offers a historical essay on the Neue Werkkunst series of reprints of architecture books, begun in 1996, and the company that produced it, Friedrich Ernst Hübsch Publishing. In addition, it contains general information on the publishing world in the field of architecture during the 1920s, short portraits of the twenty-two book firms publishing works on architecture, and a basic bibliography of architecture literature for the period 1918-1933. As the title suggests, the bibliography lists only monographs and not journal articles. And although it makes no claim to completeness, it is probably the most comprehensive work on that period. Lacking is an index, as well as a listing of references to secondary literature. Despite these limitations, the bibliography is richly illustrated and affords valuable insights into the architecture and the art of architecture book production of the 1920s. A good foundation on which to build. [ab/mjc] Buchmalerei: ihre Terminologie in der Kunstgeschichte [Book Illumination: Art History Terminology]. Christine Jakobi-Mirwald. Completely rev. and expanded new ed. Berlin: Reimer, 1997. 255 p. ill. 21 cm. ISBN 3-496-01159-9: DM 39.80 [99-1/4-240] For those who are concerned with medieval manuscripts, this unpretentious work provides the first practical aid to the nomenclature of rather abstract forms in the art of book illumination. This second edition is a thoroughly revised and expanded version of the first (1991). A greatly enlarged bibliography and keyword index complete the work. Although there is room for further expansion, Jakobi-Mirwald's is already an important, reasonably priced standard work that contributes to the unity and clarity of the terminology of this area of art history. [pb/mjc] Rudolf-Schlichter-Bibliographie: literarische, zeit- und kunstkritische Publikationen, illustrierte Bücher, Schriftstellerportraits, Sekundärliteratur, Briefe, Schriften von Speedy Schlichter; [anläßlich der Ausstellung "Rudolf Schlichter-Buchillustrationen 1920-1955" in der Galerie der Stadt Calw im Rahmen der 15. Baden-Württembergischen Literaturtage in Calw vom 18. September bis 25. Oktober 1998], mit drei Texten von Rudolf Schlichter. [Rudolf Schlichter Bibliography: Literary, Critical and Esthetic Publications, Illustrated Books, Portraits of Authors, Secondary Literature, Letters, Writings of Speedy Schlichter [on the occasion of the exhibit "Rudolf SchlichterBook Illustrations 1920-1955" in the gallery of the city of Calw as part of the 15th Annual Baden-Württemberg Literature Days held in Calw, September 18 to October 25, 1998], including three texts by Rudolf Schlichter]. Ed. Dirk Heißerer. Flein bei Heilbronn: Schweikert, 1998. 127 p. ill. 22 cm. ISBN 3-933696-00-3: DM 49.80. (Werner Schweikert, Haigernstr. 24, D-74223 Flein, fax [49 7131] 58210 50) [99-1/4-258] Rudolf Schlichter is typical of those German artists who tried to establish themselves in the years spanning the period from immediately before the First World War to just after the Second. His work arose from conflicting poles of optimism about the future and resignation, communist euphoria and fascist repression, as well as reaction and adaptation to daily realities. Similarly, the variety of his production mirrors the multiplicity of artistic styles in the first half of this century, styles that ranged from dadaism to surrealism. While Schlichter's paintings have received considerable exposure, a 1998 exhibition in Calw was the first major effort to focus attention on his literary work and book illustrations. This event provided the impetus for the publication of this bibliography of his multifaceted work as a writer and illustrator. It includes literary works, art criticism, illustrated books, letters of both Schlichter and his wife, fragments, and secondary literature. It is an important step toward a complete bibliography of Schlichter's lifework. [rni/mjc]
Internationale Bibliographie des Schrifttums über die Suche nach dem Bernsteinzimmer = Mezdunrarodnaja bibliografija publikacij o poiske Jatarnoj Komnaty = International Bibliography of Publications on the Search for The Amber Room. Ed. Peter Bruhn. Berlin-Fürstenwalde: Bock & Kübler, 1999. 128 p. 20 cm. (Literaturnachweise zu aktuellen Russland-Themen, 2). ISBN 3-86155-100-4: DM 16.80 [99-1/4-265] There is no complete bibliography on the search for the fabled Amber Room (the compilation by Tobia Mindner in Bernsteinzimmer-Suche evaluates only German publications from 1990 to 1998). Peter Bruhn provides citations to books, journals, and newspaper articles that appeared between 1959 and 1998, discussing the disappearance of this Russian cultural artifact during World War II. The bibliography is outstanding and indispensable for further research (as well as for those interested in leisure reading) on the subject. [wk/mjc]

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