Catalogue of German Paintings before 1540 in the KHM

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna is asking for financial support to continue and complete a project compiling a critical catalogue of its German paintings dating from before 1540. The aim of the project is to present - for the first time - one of the most important collections of its kind worldwide in a scholarly publication, in combination with the most up-to-date research. The interdisciplinary approach encompasses technological investigations and art historical analysis drawing upon those results. In recent years, museums both in Europe and America have been publishing their holdings of Early German panel painting. In addition, a number of recent exhibitions devoted to this period of art, and focusing especially on Dürer and Cranach, reveal a growing interest in Early German painting, and make the call for a comprehensive cataloguing of the Kunsthistorisches Museum`s own collection increasingly urgent. The first phase of this project has already been funded by FWF (Project number P 19829-G13). It focused on extensive technological investigations of around 120 paintings dating from the early sixteenth century, and its findings form a substantial base for an art historical catalogue. The research into around 30 works by Cranach the Elder and his workshop is especially rich, having been supplemented through cooperation with the `Cranach Digital Archive`. The latest investigations have produced important and unexpected discoveries which require further research. In addition, the decision has been made to encompass the full inventory of Early German paintings dating from before 1540. The extension of the project would involve researching around 40 additional paintings. Mostly by anonymous hands, they are nevertheless artistically and art historically important works of the fifteenth century. The planned catalogue will be part of the Gemäldegalerie`s series of research publications. The work will not only provide a core inventory, but will also be aimed at readers from both the professional world and the public. It will thus not only focus on specific paintings, but also provide detailed information about the structure and the history of one of the oldest parts of the Kunsthistorische Museum`s collection.

No additional funding sources recorded.