Art as a Cultural Activity
Modern art has always had a home at the Frankfurter Kunstverein. Founded in numerous German cities in the early nineteenth century, the aim of the Municipal Art Associations (Kunstvereine) was to support and disseminate new and modern art. One of the newly-founded Frankfurter Kunstverein's chief functions in 1829 was to work with the Städelsches Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt am Main in acquiring works for its collection. The emphasis shifted gradually to independent exhibitions and to the presentation of little-known artists and artistic directions that later came to play a seminal role in the development of art. In the early 20th century the Frankfurter Kunstverein exhibited works by Max Beckmann, when he was still unknown. After World War II Frankfurter Kunstverein made its mark with internationally oriented solo exhibitions and theme-oriented group exhibitions aimed at highlighting new and exciting developments. This work has continued right up to the present day. Experimentation is important, as well as keeping an eye open for the new and the seminal.
-Curt Gravenkamp: "Rückblick auf History und Tätigkeit des Frankfurter Kunstvereins vom Jahre 1829 bis zum Jahre 1954", Frankfurt am Main 1954. € 10
-Claudia-Renée Booms: "Der Frankfurter Kunstverein im 19. Jahrhundert", Thesis, Frankfurt am Main 1995. € 25