Hermann Obrist

This is the first monograph on the highly extraordinary artist Hermann Obrist (1862-1927). The Swiss-born artist established the German variant of the Art Nouveau movement in Munich during the 1890s, merging the demanding craftsmanship of applied arts with the aesthetic aspirations of fine arts. For the first time, the estate parts in Munich and Zurich are brought together, making the complete works of the draftsman, sculptor, textile artist, and theorist tangible. With his fountains and tombs, Obrist was involved in the invention of abstract sculpture as an artistic genre. The book also demonstrates the relevance of his work for art, decorative arts, and contemporary science through the connection of images and scholarly essays. In his engagement with photography, Obrist also transcended the traditional concept of the sculptor.