MoMA

German Expressionism

Works from the Collection


Styles Themes Techniques | Artists Print Publishers | Illustrated Books Portfolios Periodicals | Maps Chronology

THE COLLECTION

Propyläen-Verlag, Berlin


Starr Figura, German Expressionism: The Graphic Impulse, New York, The Museum of Modern Art, 2011

Established in 1919 as a luxury imprint of publisher Ullstein, Berlin, headed by Emil Herz, with a focus on literature, history, and art. In 1921 renowned literary scholar, art historian, and art collector Julius Elias was appointed director of Propyläen's art program, commissioning bibliophile editions of prints, portfolios, and illustrated books by leading artists of the day, such as Lovis Corinth, Vasily Kandinsky, Max Liebermann, Emil Orlik, Max Pechstein, Max Slevogt, and Hugo Steiner-Prag (who was also primarily responsible for Propyläen's book designs). Between 1924 and 1933 published Alfred Flechtheim's cosmopolitan art and culture magazine Der Querschnitt (The cross section). In 1923 Elias initiated the major sixteen-volume art history Propyläen Kunstgeschichte (1923–29), recruiting leading art historians such as Wilhelm von Bode, Carl Einstein, Max J. Friedländer, and Eckart von Sydow to contribute. (A further eight volumes were published later.) Was also very active as a literary publisher; one of its most notable successes was Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front (1929). In 1934 the Nazis expropriated Ullstein; it was renamed Deutscher Verlag in 1937, and the Jewish employees were forced to leave and ideologically undesirable contributors were expunged. Ullstein (reestablished in Berlin in 1959) and Propyläen still exist today.

Selected Bibliography

Fleckner, Uwe. Carl Einstein und sein Jahrhundert, pp. 159–66. Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 2006.

Schwab-Felisch, Hans. "Bücher über Ullstein." In Hundert Jahre Ullstein, 1877–1977, edited by Joachim Freyburg and Hans Wallenberg, pp. 179–216. vol. 1. Berlin: Ullstein, 1977.

Iris Schmeisser

Published by Propyläen-Verlag, Berlin

  • Lovis Corinth. Wilhelm Trübner. (1921)
    Lovis Corinth
    Wilhelm Trübner
    (1921)
    Lovis Corinth. Wilhelm Trübner. (1921)
  • Lovis Corinth. Martyrdom (Martyrium) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Martyrdom (Martyrium) for the portfolio...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Martyrdom (Martyrium) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Death Lament (Totenklage) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Death Lament (Totenklage) for the portfolio...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Death Lament (Totenklage) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Protected by Weapons (Im Schutz der Waffen) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Protected by Weapons (Im Schutz der Waffen) for...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Protected by Weapons (Im Schutz der Waffen) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Burial (Grablegung) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Burial (Grablegung) from Compositions...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Burial (Grablegung) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Odysseus and the Beggar (Odysseus und der Bettler) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Odysseus and the Beggar (Odysseus und der Bettler)...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Odysseus and the Beggar (Odysseus und der Bettler) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. The Victor (Der Sieger) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    The Victor (Der Sieger) from Compositions...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. The Victor (Der Sieger) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. The Birth of Venus (Die Geburt der Venus) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    The Birth of Venus (Die Geburt der Venus)...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. The Birth of Venus (Die Geburt der Venus) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. The Bacchants (Bacchantenzug) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    The Bacchants (Bacchantenzug) from...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. The Bacchants (Bacchantenzug) from Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Crucifixion (After the altarpiece at Tölz) [Kreuzigung (nach dem Altarbild in Tölz)] for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Crucifixion (After the altarpiece at Tölz)...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Crucifixion (After the altarpiece at Tölz) [Kreuzigung (nach dem Altarbild in Tölz)] for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Rudolf Rittner as Florian Geyer (Rudolf Rittner als Florian Geyer) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Rudolf Rittner as Florian Geyer (Rudolf Rittner als...
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Rudolf Rittner as Florian Geyer (Rudolf Rittner als Florian Geyer) for the portfolio Compositions (Kompositionen). (1921-22)
  • Lovis Corinth. Compositions. (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth
    Compositions
    (1921-22)
    Lovis Corinth. Compositions. (1921-22)
  • Max Pechstein. The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser)
    1921
    Max Pechstein. The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. Title Page (Titelblatt) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    Title Page (Titelblatt) from The Lord's...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. Title Page (Titelblatt) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. For Thine / is the kingdom (Denn Dein / ist das Reich) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    For Thine / is the kingdom (Denn Dein / ist das...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. For Thine / is the kingdom (Denn Dein / ist das Reich) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. And the power / and / the glory (Und die Kraft / und / die Herrlichkeit) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    And the power / and / the glory (Und die Kraft /...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. And the power / and / the glory (Und die Kraft / und / die Herrlichkeit) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. For ever / and ever / Amen (Von Ewigkeit / zu Ewigkeit / Amen) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    For ever / and ever / Amen (Von Ewigkeit / zu...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. For ever / and ever / Amen (Von Ewigkeit / zu Ewigkeit / Amen) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. Cover (Titelholzschnitt ) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    Cover (Titelholzschnitt ) from The Lord's...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. Cover (Titelholzschnitt ) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. Our Father / which art / in heaven (Vaterunser / Der Du bist / im Himmel) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    Our Father / which art / in heaven (Vaterunser /...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. Our Father / which art / in heaven (Vaterunser / Der Du bist / im Himmel) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. Hallowed be / Thy name (Geheiliget werde / Dein Name) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    Hallowed be / Thy name (Geheiliget werde / Dein...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. Hallowed be / Thy name (Geheiliget werde / Dein Name) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. Thy kingdom come / Thy will be done / on earth as it is in heaven (Dein Reich komme / Dein Wille geschehe / Wie im Himmel also auch auf Erden) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    Thy kingdom come / Thy will be done / on earth as...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. Thy kingdom come / Thy will be done / on earth as it is in heaven (Dein Reich komme / Dein Wille geschehe / Wie im Himmel also auch auf Erden) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. Give us this day / our daily bread (Unser täglich Brot / gieb uns heute) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    Give us this day / our daily bread (Unser...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. Give us this day / our daily bread (Unser täglich Brot / gieb uns heute) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. And forgive / us / our debts (und vergieb / uns / Unsre Schuld) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    And forgive / us / our debts (und vergieb / uns /...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. And forgive / us / our debts (und vergieb / uns / Unsre Schuld) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. As we forgive / our / debtors (Wie wir vergeben / unsern / Schuldigern) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    As we forgive / our / debtors (Wie wir vergeben /...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. As we forgive / our / debtors (Wie wir vergeben / unsern / Schuldigern) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. And / lead / us not / into temptation (und führe / uns nicht / in Versuchung) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    And / lead / us not / into temptation (und...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. And / lead / us not / into temptation (und führe / uns nicht / in Versuchung) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Max Pechstein. But deliver us from evil (Sondern erlöse uns von dem Übel) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
    Max Pechstein
    But deliver us from evil (Sondern erlöse uns...
    1921
    Max Pechstein. But deliver us from evil (Sondern erlöse uns von dem Übel) from The Lord's Prayer (Das Vater Unser). 1921
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds XI (Kleine Welten XI) from  Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds XI (Kleine Welten XI) from ...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds XI (Kleine Welten XI) from  Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds IX (Kleine Welten IX) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds IX (Kleine Welten IX) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds IX (Kleine Welten IX) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds VI (Kleine Welten VI) from  Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds VI (Kleine Welten VI) from ...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds VI (Kleine Welten VI) from  Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds VII (Kleine Welten VII) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds VII (Kleine Welten VII) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds VII (Kleine Welten VII) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds IV (Kleine Welten IV) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds IV (Kleine Welten IV) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds IV (Kleine Welten IV) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds III (Kleine Welten III) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds III (Kleine Welten III) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds III (Kleine Welten III) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds X (Kleine Welten X) from Smalls Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds X (Kleine Welten X) from Smalls...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds X (Kleine Welten X) from Smalls Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds XII (Kleine Welten XII) from Smalls Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds XII (Kleine Welten XII) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds XII (Kleine Welten XII) from Smalls Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds VIII (Kleine Welten VIII) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds VIII (Kleine Welten VIII) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds VIII (Kleine Welten VIII) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds V (Kleine Welten VI) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds V (Kleine Welten VI) from Small...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds V (Kleine Welten VI) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds II (Kleine Welten II) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds II (Kleine Welten II) from...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds II (Kleine Welten II) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds I (Kleine Welten I) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds I (Kleine Welten I) from Small...
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds I (Kleine Welten I) from Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
    Vasily Kandinsky
    Small Worlds (Kleine Welten)
    1922
    Vasily Kandinsky. Small Worlds (Kleine Welten). 1922
  • Lovis Corinth. David and Goliath (David und Goliath) for the illustrated book Saul and David. The Two Books Samuel (Saul und David. Die beiden Bücher Samuelis). (1923)
    Lovis Corinth
    David and Goliath (David und Goliath) for the...
    (1923)
    Lovis Corinth. David and Goliath (David und Goliath) for the illustrated book Saul and David. The Two Books Samuel (Saul und David. Die beiden Bücher Samuelis). (1923)
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