Hermann Obrist: Sculpture, Space, Abstraction around 1900

by Museum Bellerive Zürich (Editor), State Collection of Prints and Drawings Munich (Editor)

Art historians regard Hermann Obrist (1863–1927) as one of the most influential founders and visionaries of the art nouveau movement in Germany. His diverse oeuvre includes tapestries, ceramics, furniture designs, metal work, and sculptures including monuments and fountains. Hermann Sculpture, Space, Abstraction around 1900 presents for the first time in English the entire scope of Obrist’s work.             This vibrantly illustrated volume presents exemplary work from each period of Obrist’s career. In addition to the illustrations, the book includes essays by expert critics who investigate Obrist’s ideas and concepts, the inspirations for abstract designs that he derived from natural forms and phenomena, and his plans for tombs and monuments. Though many of Obrist’s designs for fountains were unrealized and the majority of his tombs and monuments have been destroyed, this comprehensive volume documents the entire collection of plaster models and photographs for both unrealized and destroyed sculpture work.             Created to accompany exhibitions at the Museum Bellerive in Zurich and at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Hermann Sculpture, Space, Abstraction around 1900 is an informative collection that will fascinate scholars and historians of the art nouveau movement.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2009

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating glimpses into the creative work and life of Hermann Obrist (1862-1927) a unique artist from Belgium who combined organic, fluid and abstract themes into expressive works. This volume includes rare photographs of his sculptures, models, and sketches, many of which no longer exist. He specialized in fountains, grave monuments, and textiles.

Also included is Obrist's own autobiographical text, "A Happy Life", which is an odd, idyllic reminiscence on key points in his life.

[Morpheus Lunae · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a shame so many of Obrist's strange and biomorphic works have been lost to war and age but this book makes a great job of unearthing some of these works and connections. They even found some of his monuments which had been presumably lost. But still, this is not yet a comprehensive catalogue. I'm still waiting for one.
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Obrists Arbeiten, die von Töpfereien über Stickereien, Zeichnungen und ganze Monumente reichen, sind so gnadenlos vorläuferhaft, dass kein Weg an ihnen vorbeiführt, wenn man sich mit dem Jugendstil oder gar den biomorphem LSD-Fantasien der 60er und 70er beschäftigen will, die in Giger, aber auch den französischen Visionnaires Niederschlag finden. Es ist eine Schande, dass so viel durch Kriege und pure Zeit allein verschwunden ist. Dieses Buch hier allerdings führt Sammlungen wieder zueinander und lokalisiert einige verloren geglaubte Grabmale wieder. Das macht Hoffnung darauf, dass in den nächsten Jahren und Jahrzehnten vielleicht doch noch mehr wiederentdeckt wird. Allerdings ist auch diese Arbeit nicht der vollständige Werkkatalog. Und der ist wirklich bitter nötig.