Tag: German architecture

Karl Friedrich Schinkel: more than Berlin’s architect

On By europeancollectionsIn German, Historical collections, Special collections1 Comment
Birch and cane dining chair, 1825, in the Kunstgewerbemuseum, my own photo

Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) was a pre-eminent contributor to the 19th century planning of the city of Berlin, and several of the imposing buildings that he designed can still be admired today in the centre of the city – for instance, the Konzerthaus, the Neue Wache and the Altes Museum. It is now 200 years since he started work on his plans for this museum, the first of several to make up the Museum Island complex. Like many, I knew of him as an architect so I was surprised when I saw a simple chair, perhaps designed by him, during a pre-pandemic visit to Berlin’s splendid Kunstgewerbemuseum. This inspired me to look beyond his architecture and so this blog post will explore non-architectural aspects of his work and feature items from the University Library’s collections. Continue reading “Karl Friedrich Schinkel: more than Berlin’s architect” →

Karl Ernst Osthaus – Champion of Modernism

On By europeancollectionsIn GermanLeave a comment
Karl Ernst Osthaus, by Ida Gerhardi

One hundred years ago, on March 25, 1921, the influential art patron Karl Ernst Osthaus died. His name may not be very well-known but he was a key player in establishing Modernism in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, being active as an art patron, founding a museum and being involved in the Werkbund.

Osthaus was born in 1874 into a wealthy family and grew up in the industrial town of Hagen in Westphalia. And it was in Hagen that he tried to realize many of his later projects.

Interior of the Osthaus Museum (picture by Hpschaefer, via Wikimedia)

During his studies of art history and philosophy he encountered the ideas that art plays an important part in improving the lives of all social classes. A large inheritance gave him the means to attempt to put these ideas into practice. First, he commissioned a museum to be built in Hagen to house his large art collection and make it accessible to the public. While the museum was being built, he came across the work of the architect Henry van de Velde and was so impressed that he commissioned him to design the interior of the museum. In 1902 the museum opened as the Folkwang Museum. It is now regarded as the first museum building specifically designed to house modern art. After Osthaus’ death his collection was moved to nearby Essen but the museum building was subsequently restored and is now known as the Osthaus Museum.

Continue reading “Karl Ernst Osthaus – Champion of Modernism” →