Josef Hoffmann "Interior"

From: Neue Galerie
Limited Edition: 11
Exhibition: Josef Hoffmann Interiors, 1902-1913
Material: Printed vinyl
Dimensions: 35" x 96" (88cm x 243cm)

Hanging Hardware Included

 

Description

In early 20th century Austria, a group of architects, artists, and designers were exploring the idea of the gesamtkunstwerk, or "complete work of art". This cohesive approach to art sought to unify the fine and decorative arts, and led to designs for buildings and their spaces that involved all elements being designed in unison to create a complete work. Austrian architect Josef Hoffman was one proponent of this concept, and he pursued it in his commissions for patrons as well as in his work with the Weiner Werkstatte. Hoffmann was among the founders of this Viennese group, and he did much to advance its ideas.

The Neue Galerie's exhibition Josef Hoffmann Interiors, 1902-1913 focused on his cohesive interiors, and even included four installations recreating his rooms with the furnishings, details, and art of Hoffmann's original designs. Banners from the show feature a beautifully rendered perspective drawing for a bedroom in the Primavesi country house in Winkelsdorf, Austria from 1913. The illustration, originally printed in a 1914 issue of the magazine Das Interieur, shows the grace, simplicity of line, and feeling of unification that can exist in gesamtkunstwerk.

Below the image is a black band with white text that reads "Josef Hoffmann/Interiors, 1902-1913", "November 2, 2006 - February 26, 2007", and includes the museum's information and website "Neue Galerie/Museum for German and Austrian Art/ New York", "www.neuegalerie.org". Both sides of this banner are identical.

Interested in Hoffman jewelry?

Provenance

These banners were displayed around Manhattan from November 2, 2006 through February 26, 2007 to promote the exhibition Josef Hoffmann Interiors, 1902-1913.