17 October 2007 – 23 March 2008

FROM THE GROTESQUE TO THE GROTESQUERIE - On the Topicality of Ornaments

Even at the foundation of the MAK in 1863, more than 5,000 ornamental engravings dating from the 15th through 18th centuries were donated to the museum; these now make up the actual core of the comprehensive collection of ornamental engravings. Here can be found drafts of some of the most important painters and graphic artists of their time in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands who applied themselves to the free ornament sketch. The central theme of the exhibition is a form of ornament which derives from the antique times, and is present in every century: the grotesquerie. The rediscovery shortly before 1500 opened a new chapter in the history of the ornament. The bizarrely mysterious creatures - animals, flower tendrils or fabulous - in ceiling decor, inspired the imagination of Renaissance artists. The grotesquerie became a key form in the centuries to follow, above all as a building ornament. The exhibition and a comprehensive online database containing the MAK collection of more than 17,000 ornamental engravings was created as part of the Culture 2000 “Ornamental Prints” EU project in conjunction with the Berlin Art Library and the Prague Museum of Arts and Crafts.

Address

MAK - Museum für angewandte Kunst / Gegenwartskunst
Stubenring 5
1010 Wien
phone +43 1 71 13 60
http://www.mak.at

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10 a.m. - Midnight, Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., closed on Monday.

Description of the Museum

several branches: Gefechtsturm Arenbergpark: MAK- Gegenwartskunstdepot

Within 10 days
starting exhibitions
ending exhibitions