ART NOUVEAU DOCUMENTS

Overview

In 1902 the magazine ‘Documents of Modern Applied Arts’ was introduced for the first time. It was published until 1908, comprising five series divided by content, without exception in lavish quality
and with numerous splendid illustrations. Because of the small circle of subscribers the ‘Documente des Jugendstils’ remained widely unknown until today. However, they are a unique art nouveau resource, presenting famous as well as less well-known designers and manufacturers, and furthermore presenting unknown works by famous artists.

This new edition finally makes this work accessible. Around 1,200 illustrations present more than 1,500 individual artistic items from the German and international art nouveau era in a new constellation: furniture, metal, glass, ceramics, jewellery as well as textile, poster and book art. An index comprising artists’ biographies and company histories now enables easy reference: targeted searches, finding and identification of objects.

The editor and author was Heinrich Pudor (1865–1943), known today only as a national literary man and publicist. His ‘Documents of Modern Applied Arts’ are however characterised by thorough evaluations and an ideological neutrality. Heinrich Pudor’s comprehensive journalistic and social activities around the turn of the century comprised nudism, vegetarianism, nutritional physiology, social and cultural policies, sexual science, the history of music, and theories about the history of language and prehistory.

This new edition of the ’Dokumente des Jugendstils‘ provides an indispensable standard reference work for all those interested in art nouveau. The wide choice of illustrations and texts, which encompass otherwise undocumented designers and creators as well as unknown works by famous artists, make this publication an essential resource for art nouveau applied arts.

PRESS COMMENTS

And because this book covers both famous and obscure designers and manufacturers, it’s an outstanding new source for the Art Nouveau enthusiast. Rosemary T. Smith, Style 1900, 16.4.2012