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Ball Programme

1909 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Josef Hoffman studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna under Carl von Hasenauer and Otto Wagner and was influenced by their theories of a functional, modernist architecture. After winning the Rome prize in 1895 and joining Wagner's office, he established his own office in 1898 and taught at the Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule from 1899 to 1936. He was a founding member of the Vienna Secession, an avant-garde group of artists and architects. In 1903 he founded the Wiener Werkstätte with Koloman Moser. Hoffman's earliest works reflect the Vienna Secession's variant of Art Nouveau and his later work shows a pioneering use of geometric and abstract design. His most famous building, the Palais Stoclet in Brussels, built 1905-1911, exemplifies the ideal of the 'Gesamtkunstwerk' or 'total work of art'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gilt brass, leather and printed paper
Brief description
Gilt metal cover, leather spine, printed paper, Vienna, Wiener Werkstatte, 1909, probably designed by Josef Hoffmann.
Physical description
Ball programme. Gilt metal cover, leather spine. The metal embossed and inscribed CONCORDIA BALL 1909 and inscribed on the reurn of each panel, WIENER WERKSTATTE.

The gilt metal covers identically decorated with a central oval panel containing a double leaf motif and the inscription CONCORDIA BALL 1909. The surround with a stamped embossed pattern of scrolls and bell shaped flowers. A plaited gilt ribbon threaded through eyelets in the red leather spine and a gilt rope and fastening attached to clasps on the edge of the back cover. On the lower returns of the metal covers brought over marbled end papers, the stamped signature of the WIENER WERKSTATTE. The programme contains printed lists of dances, unused, attached by means of the plaited, gilt ribbon brought through from the spine.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14cm
  • Open length: 23.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • CONCORDIA BALL 1909 (Embossed on the front and back panels)
  • WIENER WERKSTATTE (Inscribed on the return of each panel)
Object history
"Concordia" was an association of journalists and writers and their annual ball was one of the highlights of the Viennese social calendar.
Subject depicted
Summary
Josef Hoffman studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna under Carl von Hasenauer and Otto Wagner and was influenced by their theories of a functional, modernist architecture. After winning the Rome prize in 1895 and joining Wagner's office, he established his own office in 1898 and taught at the Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule from 1899 to 1936. He was a founding member of the Vienna Secession, an avant-garde group of artists and architects. In 1903 he founded the Wiener Werkstätte with Koloman Moser. Hoffman's earliest works reflect the Vienna Secession's variant of Art Nouveau and his later work shows a pioneering use of geometric and abstract design. His most famous building, the Palais Stoclet in Brussels, built 1905-1911, exemplifies the ideal of the 'Gesamtkunstwerk' or 'total work of art'.
Bibliographic references
  • Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk ed. Modern Art of Metalwork, Berlin, Brohan Museum, 2001, p.529, cat.no. 472. ill. ISBN. 3-9801525-9-6
  • W. Mrazek Die Wiener Werkstätte, Vienna, 1967, cat.no.438
  • W.J. Schweiger, Wiener Werkstätte, Vienna, 1982, p.71. ill.
  • Vienna ca.1900, Venice 1984-1985, p.71. ill
  • P. Noever and O. Oberhuber Josef Hoffmann 1870-1956, Vienna, 1987, p.181. ill.
  • K. Varendoe, Vienna 1900, Cologne 1987, p.137. ill.
  • G. Fahr-Becker, Wiener Werkstätte 1903-1932, Cologne 1994, p.163. ill.
Collection
Accession number
M.63-1967

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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