Writings on Art Theory

The writings left behind by this »cautious avant-gardist« (Clara Menck) comprise 2,355 primarily one-page manuscripts, partially illustrated with sketches, containing brief statements by the artist on his thoughts and pictorial ideas.

These texts provide exemplary insight into the formative theories of the artist from his years in Dachau - where he founded a painting school, having moved there in 1887 after concluding his studies in Vienna and Munich - until the final years of his life in Stuttgart, which were already overshadowed by the defamatory cultural policies of the National Socialists.

The estate of art-theoretical writings by the influential pioneer Adolf Hölzel is an ideal enhancement to the holdings of the Oskar Schlemmer and Will Grohmann archives. [ KvM ]

Bibliography:

Adolf Hölzel (1853-1934) – Der Kunsttheoretische Nachlass. With contributions by Michael Lingner, Karin v. Maur and Wolfgang Venzmer, published by KulturStiftung der Länder and the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, 1998, in the series »Patrimonia,« Vol. 155.

Manuscript sheets from the art-theoretical writings, left: Sheet 492, pen and dark blue ink on brownish paper; 31 cm x 24.2 cm, right: Sheet 529, pen and darkened ink; 28.5 cm x 22.2 cm