Gottfried Semper Livres

Architecte, critique d'art et enseignant allemand, G. Semper (1803-1879) a essentiellement construit à Dresde mais c'est son œuvre critique qui l'a rendu célèbre. Il y développe notamment des concepts clés : revêtement, beauté formelle, type ..

The enduring influence of the architect Gottfried Semper (1803-1879) derives primarily from his monumental theoretical foray Der Stil in der technischen und tektonischen Künsten (1860-62), here translated into English for the first time. A richly illustrated survey of the technical arts (textiles, ceramics, carpentry, masonry), Semper's analysis of the preconditions of style forever changed the interpretative context for aesthetics, architecture, and art history. Style, Semper believed, should be governed by historical function, cultural affinities, creative free will, and the innate properties of each medium. Thus, in an ambitious attempt to turn nineteenth-century artistic discussion away from historicism, aestheticism, and materialism, Semper developed in Der Stil a complex picture of stylistic change based on scrutiny of specific objects and a remarkable grasp of cultural variety. Harry Francis Mallgrave's introductory essay offers an account of Semper's life and work, a survey of Der Stil, and a fresh consideration of Semper's landmark study and its lasting significance.

The MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts is in possession of the original of the famous manuscript of Practical Art in Metals and Hard Materials by Gottfried Semper (1803–1979). 1867, this study which is now published in book form was donated to the museum by Semper, and since then has been kept in the MAK Library and Works on Paper Collection. In Practical Art in Metals and Hard Materials Semper expounds his phenomenology of architectural materials juxtaposed with his theoretical positions. The study discusses the systematisation of the ideal museum and includes valuable ideas and suggestions. Moreover, it surveys institutions, objects, and artists that were considered as having model character by Semper and assumably also had an influence on his own work. The commented edition of Practical Art in Metals and Hard Materials includes a transcription of the original manuscript with a critical apparatus as well as introductory texts by experts of Semper’s work. It is intended to make a substantial contribution to the research of the founding period of modern Architecture, design, and modern museology. The book was awarded the Austrian National Award for the most beautiful art book of the year 2007.

Gottfied Semper was the most important German theorist of the nineteenth century. From his first published essay on Greek polychromy in 1834 to his final lecture on the origin of architectural styles in 1869, Semper persistently endeavoured to fashion a comprehensive architectural theory explaining the meaning and transformational nature of architectural form. The breadth and richness of his ideas, both applauded and opposed at the turn of the twentieth century, proved enormously influential in the development of modern theory. Originally published in 1989, this book provides an English translation of a number of Semper's published writings. The introduction seeks to trace the course of Semper's theoretical development over thirty-five years. Semper's ideas, like those of his contemporaries, John Ruskin and Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, had enormous influence on the genesis of modern architectural theory and will appeal to both architectural historians and architects.

Gottfried Semper, geboren 1803 in Hamburg und gestorben 1879 in Rom, war ein einflussreicher deutscher Architekt und Kunsttheoretiker. Er ist bekannt als Mitbegründer der modernen Theaterarchitektur und hat mit seinen innovativen Ideen und Konzepten die Gestaltung von Theatern nachhaltig geprägt. Seine Arbeiten und Theorien haben einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf die Architektur des 19. Jahrhunderts ausgeübt.

Das Buch bietet eine umfassende Analyse der Ästhetik in technischen und tektonischen Künsten und richtet sich an Techniker, Künstler und Kunstliebhaber. Es vermittelt praktische Ansätze zur Gestaltung und Wertschätzung von Kunstwerken und deren technischer Umsetzung. Der unveränderte Nachdruck der Originalausgabe von 1878 ermöglicht es, historische Perspektiven und Prinzipien der Kunst und Technik zu entdecken und deren Relevanz für die moderne Praxis zu erkennen.

Das Handbuch bietet eine umfassende Anleitung zur praktischen Ästhetik und richtet sich an Techniker, Künstler und Kunstliebhaber. Mit einem unveränderten Nachdruck der Originalausgabe von 1860 wird das historische Wissen und die damaligen Ansichten zur Ästhetik lebendig gehalten. Es behandelt grundlegende Prinzipien und Techniken, die für die kreative Arbeit und die Wertschätzung von Kunst entscheidend sind.