Catalogue raisonné of the complete works by Henry van de Velde – Third volume “Ceramics” published
Today, 7 June 2016, the Klassik Stiftung Weimar officially presented the third volume “Ceramics” in its “Catalogue Raisonné of the Handcrafted and Interior Design Works of Henry van de Velde 1863-1957”. The aim of the corresponding research project is to produce a six-volume standard work which will alleviate confusion regarding matters of dating, scope and the works’ context of origin. Like the preceding volumes “Works in Metal” (2009) and “Textiles” (2014), the third volume “Ceramics” is published by the E. A. Seemann Verlag.
>> Press photos are available at klassik-stiftung.de/service/presse.
The third volume, totaling 696 pages with over 1,600 photos, is exclusively devoted to Henry van de Velde’s ceramic works. Based on their material, the works are divided into three main chapters “Stoneware and earthenware”, “Porcelain” and “Varia”, and include information on all the manufacturers with their corresponding versions of the artist’s designs listed in chronological order. Extensive background information and details regarding the origin of each piece have been provided. Furthermore, the dimensions, materials and manufacturing techniques of the pieces are meticulously documented, along with information regarding Van de Velde’s clients and customers, contracted companies, employees and exhibitions. The main challenge in producing this volume was combining homogenous, in-depth scientific indexing with an aesthetically pleasing, high-quality depiction of the pieces.
Unresolved cases and works erroneously attributed to Henry van de Velde in the past are addressed in the two chapters “Authorship in question” and “Works no longer attributed to van de Velde”. Such a comprehensive trademark catalogue will help prevent errors and speculation in the future. The third volume of the catalogue raisonné documents a total of 1,500 individual items created by Henry van de Velde. Its extensive scope and depth makes it – like the preceding volumes “Works in Metal” and “Textiles” – an indispensable standard work for museums, collectors and art dealers alike.
At today’s presentation in the hall of the Goethe National Museum, General Museum Director Wolfgang Holler stated: “The scientific study and documentation of Henry van de Velde’s complete oeuvre is an ambitious project, and with each successive volume, makes it all the more apparent that Van de Velde was a revolutionary designer in numerous fields of the decorative arts, fine arts and architecture. The third volume on ‘Ceramics’ was produced with the highest degree of expertise and scientific diligence, and is now presented in an exquisite form.”
>> More information on vol. III “Ceramics” are available on the Blog of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar: blog.klassik-stiftung.de.
Henry van de Velde began designing ceramics in 1895. Compared with his initial drafts for rough tiles produced by Alexandre Bigot, the pieces he designed after arriving in Weimar in 1902 reveal significant progress in his handling of the material. Van de Velde developed an amazingly broad spectrum of consumer and luxury ceramics. Along with beer mugs, bowls and candleholders, he designed perfectly formed vases and even urns. Starting in 1903, he began creating a 42-piece table service with the so-called “Peitschenhieb” décor for the Royal Saxon Porcelain Manufactory in Meissen. The majority of his designs were developed for the ceramics makers in Westerwald and Thuringia, specifically for workshops in Höhr, Grenzhausen and Bürgel. Thanks to the court pottery J. F. Schmidt and the School of Arts and Crafts, Weimar also evolved into an important ceramics manufacturing centre. In collaboration with his students, Henry van de Velde created numerous ceramics works of exceptional value.
The research project at the Klassik Stiftung Weimar responsible for the “Catalogue Raisonné of the Handcrafted and Interior Design Works of Henry van de Velde 1863-1957” is sponsored by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung. Antje Neumann and Linda Tschöpe from the Klassik Stiftung Weimar were responsible for the concept and content development. The third volume “Ceramics” was edited by Ms Neumann and Thomas Föhl.
In 2015, the Stiftung Buchkunst (Book Art Foundation) distinguished volume II “Textiles” as one of Germany’s 163 most beautiful books.
Bibliographical information
Thomas Föhl, Antje Neumann (eds.)
Henry van de Velde – Raumkunst und Kunsthandwerk | Interior Design and Decorative Arts
Ein Werkverzeichnis in sechs Bänden | A Catalogue Raisonné in Six Volumes
Band III: Keramik | Volume III: Ceramics
Bilingual edition: German and English
696 pp. | 1,528 illustrations | linen binding in slipcase
Price: 128 euros (until 5 September 2016); 148 euros (starting 6 September 2016)
E. A. Seemann Verlag
ISBN 978-3-86502-231-8
If you have any questions, Dr. Antje Neumann [antje.neumann@klassik-stiftung.de | +49 (0) 3643 545 451] and I [franz.loebling@klassik-stiftung.de | +49 (0) 3643 545 113] would be happy to assist you.
Best wishes,
Franz Löbling
Pressereferent | Press Officer
Klassik Stiftung Weimar
Referat Kommunikation Öffentlichkeitsarbeit Marketing | Pressestelle
Burgplatz 4, D-99423 Weimar | PF 2012, D-99401 Weimar
Weitere Informationen:
http://www.klassik-stiftung.de/forschung/werkverzeichnis-h-van-de-velde/
http://data.axmag.com/data/201605/20160531/U39674_F383329/FLASH/index.html