Hans Potthof (19112003) was one of the most important Swiss artists of the 20th century. In the 1930s and early 1940s his works were characterised by progressive compositions and an impulsive painting technique. During that period, the young artist distinguished himself as an innovative proponent of post-Expressionism, Surrealism and of the New Objectivity movement. In his early years, alongside his paintings, Potthof also created photographic works. Although very little of his photographic oeuvre was made public during his lifetime, the works are of great artistic value and can be considered groundbreaking in the context of his time. In order to achieve the desired effect and convey the message intended, Potthof chose to use innovative methods that went far beyond simply creating a documentary record. Hans Potthof's extensive photographic work and his early paintings are presented here for the first time.

Autorentext
studierte europäische und ostasiatische Kunstgeschichte. Er promovierte zum Thema Transformation, Sublimation und Individuation im modernen Porträt in der Schweizer Malerei um 1900. Zu seinen Forschungsschwerpunkten gehört die Aufarbeitung der uvres von Hans Potthof (19112003), Emil Dill (18611938) und Hans Emmenegger (18661940).

Klappentext

Hans Potthof (1911-2003) was one of the most important Swiss artists of the 20th century. In the 1930s and early 1940s his works were characterised by progressive compositions and an impulsive painting technique. During that period, the young artist distinguished himself as an innovative proponent of post-Expressionism, Surrealism and of the New Objectivity movement. In his early years, alongside his paintings, Potthof also created photographic works. Although very little of his photographic oeuvre was made public during his lifetime, the works are of great artistic value and can be considered groundbreaking in the context of his time. In order to achieve the desired effect and convey the message intended, Potthof chose to use innovative methods that went far beyond simply creating a documentary record. Hans Potthof's extensive photographic work and his early paintings are presented here for the first time.

Inhalt
Vorwort Prolog: Hans Emmenegger und das Neue Sehen Bewegungsimpressionen, Vertikalperspektive, Reflexionen Einleitung 1 Berufen zur Kunst Militärstrasse 1, Luzern Inmitten von Hochbautechnikern An der Olympiade 1936 in Berlin Grafik, Typografie, Werbung und Konkrete Malerei Kunstlerparadies Ascona und der Monte Verità Am Nabel der Welt Paris Weltausstellung 1937 Die Vereinigung «Freie Zuger Kunstler» Netzwerk und Solidarität der Kulturschaffenden ... «Zentrale» in Baar Refugium im Bruschrain 2 Fotografische Arbeiten Komponieren luminaristischer Werte Dokumentation des Alltäglichen Hans Finsler und das «Neue Sehen» «Subjektive Photographie» à la Bauhaus Experimentelle Fotografie Der bildende Kunstler als Fotograf 3 Schwarz | Weiss von der Objektstudie zur Sachlichkeit Skizze, Studie und Sachzeichnung Expressiver Realismus und Neue Sachlichkeit Typografie und Malerei Monochrom Fotografie Grafische Drucke 4 Die fruhen Arbeiten im globalen Kontext 5 Stellenwert des Fruhwerks in Potthofs OEuvre Katalog Anhang Anmerkungen Bibliografie Bildnachweis und Copyrights Dank INDEX Foreword Preface : Hans Emmenegger and the New Vision Movement Impressions of Movement, Vertical Perspectives, Reflections Introduction 1 A Vocation for Art Militärstrasse 1, Lucerne Surrounded by Architectural Technicians Participating in the Olympic Games of 1936 in Berlin Graphic Design, Typography, Advertising and 'Concrete Art' Ascona and Monte Verità an Artists' Paradise At the Centre of the Universe the 1937 Paris World Exposition The Association of Free Zug Artists Networking and Solidarity among Creative Artists the Zentrale in Baar A Refuge at Bruschrain 2 Photographic Works Composing Luminist Values Documenting the Everyday Hans Finsler and the New Vision Movement Subjective Photography in the Bauhaus Style Experimental Photography The Visual Artist as a Photographer 3 Black | White from Object Study to Objectivity Sketches, Studies and Object Drawings Expressive Realism and New Objectivity Typography and Painting Monochrome Photography Graphic Prints 4 The Early Works in a Global Context 5 The Position of the Early Work within Potthof's Oeuvre Catalogue Appendix Notes Bibliography Picture credits and copyrights Acknowledgments