MAK Exhibition View, 2021, JOSEF HOFFMANN: Progress Through Beauty

Josef Hoffmann

Progress Through Beauty

With the to date most comprehensive retrospective of his entire oeuvre, the MAK is honoring the impressive work of architect, designer, teacher, and exhibition organizer Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956), one of the central figures of Viennese Modernism and the international Lebensreform (life reform) movement around 1900. To him, bringing beauty into his customers’ lives through design was equivalent to aesthetic and social progress.

15.12.2021—19.6.2022

Lower Exhibition Hall

In the course of the exhibition, already familiar works by Hoffmann were complemented by important objects from his 60-year creative work and consequently existing research gaps were closed. In 20 chapters with more than 1,000 exhibits, the show approaches Hoffmann’s monumental oeuvre, which covers all aspects of daily life like architecture, interior design, fashion, as well as practical objects. Originally from Brtnice, Czech Republic, Hoffmann lived to experience five different political periods, from the Habsburg monarchy to the Second Republic. He was co-founder of the Union of Austrian Artists – Secession, the Wiener Werkstätte, the German and Austrian Werkbund and knew how to convey his special taste and an aesthetic identity to his customers as well as generations of students at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts. His pioneering spirit united an artistically ambitious architectural approach with a product culture shaped by craftsmanship.

digi.Story

Josef Hoffmann’s long life spanned more than eight decades of which he spent at least six active as an artist. He lived and worked in five political systems and influenced hundreds of designers to the present day while always remaining true to his high creative standards. But who was this well-dressed man with a mustache and pince-nez? The new digi.STORY provides insights into the multifaceted life of the architect and designer. The MAK.digiSTORY is part of the project ATCZ264 – JH Neu digital / JH Nově digitální and was cofinanced by EFRE funds from the European Union (INTERREG V-A Österreich – Tschechische Republik).

digi.STORY english
česká verze

Publication

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication JOSEF HOFFMANN 1870–1956: Progress Through Beauty. The Guide to His Oeuvre, edited by Christoph Thun-Hohenstein, Matthias Boeckl, Rainald Franz, and Christian Witt-Dörring, with contributions by Matthias Boeckl, Elisabeth Boeckl-Klamper, Rainald Franz, Anette Freytag, Sebastian Hackenschmidt, Otto Kapfinger, Markus Kristan, Christopher Long, Klára Němečková, Andreas Nierhaus, Jan Norrman, Eva-Maria Orosz, Adrián Prieto Fernandez, Ursula Prokop, Lara Steinhäußer, Valerio Terraroli, Wolfgang Thillmann, Christoph Thun-Hohenstein, and Christian Witt-Dörring. English, 448 pages with numerous color illustrations. MAK, Vienna/Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel 2021. Available at the MAK Design Shop and online at MAKdesignshop.at for € 69.95.

Audioguide

At guide.MAK.at you can find audios on the highlights of the exhibition for free and without download.

Elevations of the dining room with Klimt’s frieze, Stoclet House, Brussels, 1914

Josef Hoffmann, Table for Dr. Hermann Wittgenstein’s apartment, 1905

Josef Hoffmann, Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, façade, 1905

Josef Hoffmann, Dining hall of Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, 1905

Josef Hoffmann, Tea set for the Wiener Werkstätte, metal, 1903

Josef Hoffmann, Entrance pavilion at the Vienna Kunstschau, 1908

Josef Hoffmann, Belt buckle for the Wiener Werkstätte, execution: Karl Ponocny, silver, opal, malachite, coral, 1905

Josef Hoffmann, Silver flatware for Fritz and Lili Waerndorfer, flat model, silver, Wiener Werkstätte, 1904–1908

Josef Hoffmann, Design for silver flatware for Fritz and Lili Waerndorfer, flat model, Wiener Werkstätte, 1904

Josef Hoffmann, Barroom at Cabaret Fledermaus, Vienna, 1907

Josef Hoffmann, Centerpiece with two handles for the Wiener Werkstätte, brass, 1924

Josef Hoffmann, Porcelain set “Melon” [Melon] for the Augarten Porcelain Manufactory, 1931

Josef Hoffmann, Two stools from Koloman Moser’s studio furniture, 1898

Josef Hoffmann, Vase from a dresser set for the Wiener Werkstätte, glass, bronzite, J. & L. Lobmeyr, 1913

Portrait of Josef Hoffmann, Vienna, after 1945, Photograph: Yoichi R. Okamoto

CURATORS
Guest Curators: Matthias Boeckl, Christian Witt-Dörring
Curator: Rainald Franz, Curator, MAK Glass and Ceramics Collection

Cooperation Partner

Media

<BODY>Elevations of the dining room with Klimt’s frieze, Stoclet House, Brussels, 1914<br />© MAK</BODY>

Elevations of the dining room with Klimt’s frieze, Stoclet House, Brussels, 1914 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Table for Dr. Hermann Wittgenstein’s apartment, 1905</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Table for Dr. Hermann Wittgenstein’s apartment, 1905 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, façade, 1905</div><div>© Wolfgang Woessner/MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, façade, 1905 © Wolfgang Woessner/MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Dining hall of Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, 1905</div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Dining hall of Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, 1905 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Tea set for the Wiener Werkstätte, metal, 1903</div><div>© MAK/Katrin Wißkirchen</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Tea set for the Wiener Werkstätte, metal, 1903 © MAK/Katrin Wißkirchen

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Entrance pavilion at the Vienna Kunstschau, 1908</div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Entrance pavilion at the Vienna Kunstschau, 1908 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Belt buckle for the Wiener Werkstätte, execution: Karl Ponocny, silver, opal, malachite, coral, 1905</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Belt buckle for the Wiener Werkstätte, execution: Karl Ponocny, silver, opal, malachite, coral, 1905 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Pendant for the Wiener Werkstätte, 1907</div><div>© MAK/Katrin Wißkirchen</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Pendant for the Wiener Werkstätte, 1907 © MAK/Katrin Wißkirchen

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Silver flatware for Fritz and Lili Waerndorfer, flat model, silver, Wiener Werkstätte, 1904–1908 </div><div>© Aslan Kudrnofsky/MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Silver flatware for Fritz and Lili Waerndorfer, flat model, silver, Wiener Werkstätte, 1904–1908 © Aslan Kudrnofsky/MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Design for silver flatware for Fritz and Lili Waerndorfer, flat model, Wiener Werkstätte, 1904 </div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Design for silver flatware for Fritz and Lili Waerndorfer, flat model, Wiener Werkstätte, 1904 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Barroom at Cabaret Fledermaus, Vienna, 1907</div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Barroom at Cabaret Fledermaus, Vienna, 1907 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Fauteuil from Cabaret Fledermaus, chair, model no. 728, J. & J. Kohn, bentwood, 1907</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Fauteuil from Cabaret Fledermaus, chair, model no. 728, J. & J. Kohn, bentwood, 1907 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Centerpiece with two handles for the Wiener Werkstätte, brass, 1924</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Centerpiece with two handles for the Wiener Werkstätte, brass, 1924 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Porcelain set “Melon” [Melon] for the Augarten Porcelain Manufactory, 1931</div><div>© MAK/Katrin Wißkirchen</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Porcelain set “Melon” [Melon] for the Augarten Porcelain Manufactory, 1931 © MAK/Katrin Wißkirchen

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Chair from the dining hall of Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, J. & J. Kohn, wood, leather, 1904</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Chair from the dining hall of Sanatorium Westend, Purkersdorf, J. & J. Kohn, wood, leather, 1904 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY>Josef Hoffmann, Table for the living room of Dr. Hans Salzer’s apartment, ca. 1902<br />© Wolfgang Woessner/MAK<br /><br /></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Table for the living room of Dr. Hans Salzer’s apartment, ca. 1902 © Wolfgang Woessner/MAK

<BODY>Josef Hoffmann, Two stools from Koloman Moser’s studio furniture, 1898<br />© MAK/Georg Mayer<br /><br /></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Two stools from Koloman Moser’s studio furniture, 1898 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY>Josef Hoffmann, Atelier cabinet from Koloman Moser’s studio furniture, 1898<br />© MAK/Georg Mayer<br /><br /></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Atelier cabinet from Koloman Moser’s studio furniture, 1898 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Upholstered chair from the Boudoir d’une grande vedette [Boudoir for a Big Star], Paris World’s Fair, 1937</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Upholstered chair from the Boudoir d’une grande vedette [Boudoir for a Big Star], Paris World’s Fair, 1937 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Daybed from the Boudoir d’une grande vedette [Boudoir for a Big Star], Paris World’s Fair, 1937</div><div>© Nathan Murrell/MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Daybed from the Boudoir d’une grande vedette [Boudoir for a Big Star], Paris World’s Fair, 1937 © Nathan Murrell/MAK

<BODY>Josef Hoffmann, Reconstruction of the <em>Boudoir d’une grande vedette</em> [Boudoir for a Big Star], Paris World’s Fair, 1937<br />© MAK<br /><br /></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Reconstruction of the Boudoir d’une grande vedette [Boudoir for a Big Star], Paris World’s Fair, 1937 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Basket with handles for the Wiener Werkstätte, latticework object, silver, 1906</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Basket with handles for the Wiener Werkstätte, latticework object, silver, 1906 © MAK/Georg Mayer

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Façade of Stoclet House, Brussels, 1914</div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Façade of Stoclet House, Brussels, 1914 © MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Vase from a dresser set for the Wiener Werkstätte, glass, bronzite, J. & L. Lobmeyr, 1913</div><div>© Peter Kainz/MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Vase from a dresser set for the Wiener Werkstätte, glass, bronzite, J. & L. Lobmeyr, 1913 © Peter Kainz/MAK

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Wallpaper pattern for the Wiener Werkstätte, 1925</div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

<BODY><div>Portrait of Josef Hoffmann, Vienna, after 1945</div><div>Photograph: Yoichi R. Okamoto </div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

<BODY><div>Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Postcard No. 75, Bar Room „CABARET FLEDERMAUS, WIEN, KÄRNTNERSTRASSE 33“, Vienna, 1907 </div><div>© MAK</div><div> </div></BODY>

Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte Postcard No. 75, Bar Room „CABARET FLEDERMAUS, WIEN, KÄRNTNERSTRASSE 33“, Vienna, 1907 © MAK

<BODY><div>MAK Exhibition View, 2021</div><div>JOSEF HOFFMANN: Progress Through Beauty </div><div>MAK Exhibition Hall</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

<BODY><div>MAK Exhibition View, 2021</div><div>JOSEF HOFFMANN: Progress Through Beauty </div><div>Reconstruction of the Boudoir d’une grande vedette [Boudoir for a Big Star] </div><div>Paris World’s Fair, 1937 </div><div>Execution: Manfred Trummer, Johannes Ranacher, Glaserei Scharl, Johannes Falkeis, Marina Paric, Irina Huller, carpenter’s workshop of the MAK, Vienna, 2014 </div><div>MAK Exhibition Hall</div><div>© MAK/Georg Mayer</div><div> </div></BODY>

Video (in German)

JOSEF HOFFMANN – 150TH BIRTHDAY

JOSEF HOFFMANN

Josef Hoffmann

Progress Through Beauty

digi.Story

Publication

Audioguide

Media

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