Adolfo Hohenstein
Encyclopedia
Adolfo Hohenstein was a German painter
, advertiser, illustrator
, set designer and costume designer
. He's considered the father of the Italian poster art and an exponent of the Stile Liberty, the Italian Art Nouveau
. Together with Leonetto Cappiello
, Giovanni Mario Mataloni, Leopoldo Metlicovitz and Marcello Dudovich, he's considered one of the most important Italian poster designers.
, Russian Empire
, to German parents, Julius and Laura Irack. His father was a forest engineer, whose career prompted him to travel extensively. Julius, forest engineer. Adolf moves to Vienna
where he grows up and completes his studies. His travels take him to India, where he decorates the houses of the local nobility.
, Italy. He becomes a set and costume designer for La Scala
and other theatres. There he meets the musical publisher Giulio Ricordi, and in 1889 begins to work for the Ricordi Graphical Workshops, where he shortly becomes the artistic director in charge of the graphical part. He'll create the posters for La Bohème
and Tosca
, as well as publicity for Campari
, Buitoni and Corriere della Sera
, numerous postcards, covers for scores and booklets. His work will continue to cover the theatrical dimension: scenarios and wardrobes for several works, among them Giuseppe Verdi
's Falstaff
(1893) and a major part of the works of Giacomo Puccini
, from the sketches of the Villas to posters of Madama Butterfly
(1904). At Ricordi's he has as colleague Giovanni Mario Mataloni and as students Leopoldo Metlicovitz and Marcello Dudovich.
Adolfo Hohenstein died in Bonn 12 April 1928.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, advertiser, illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, set designer and costume designer
Costume Designer
A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...
. He's considered the father of the Italian poster art and an exponent of the Stile Liberty, the Italian Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
. Together with Leonetto Cappiello
Leonetto Cappiello
Leonetto Cappiello was an Italian poster art designer who lived in Paris. He is now often called 'the father of modern advertising' because of his innovation in poster design...
, Giovanni Mario Mataloni, Leopoldo Metlicovitz and Marcello Dudovich, he's considered one of the most important Italian poster designers.
Early years
Adolfo Hohenstein was born in the town of Saint PetersburgSaint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
, to German parents, Julius and Laura Irack. His father was a forest engineer, whose career prompted him to travel extensively. Julius, forest engineer. Adolf moves to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
where he grows up and completes his studies. His travels take him to India, where he decorates the houses of the local nobility.
The Italian experience
In 1879, he settles down in MilanMilan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy. He becomes a set and costume designer for La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
and other theatres. There he meets the musical publisher Giulio Ricordi, and in 1889 begins to work for the Ricordi Graphical Workshops, where he shortly becomes the artistic director in charge of the graphical part. He'll create the posters for La Bohème
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
and Tosca
Tosca
Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900...
, as well as publicity for Campari
Campari
Campari is an alcoholic apéritif obtained from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. It is a bitters characterized by its dark red color....
, Buitoni and Corriere della Sera
Corriere della Sera
The Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
, numerous postcards, covers for scores and booklets. His work will continue to cover the theatrical dimension: scenarios and wardrobes for several works, among them Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
's Falstaff
Falstaff (opera)
Falstaff is an operatic commedia lirica in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare's plays The Merry Wives of Windsor and scenes from Henry IV. It was Verdi's last opera, written in the composer's ninth decade, and only the second of his 26 operas to be a comedy...
(1893) and a major part of the works of Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire...
, from the sketches of the Villas to posters of Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Puccini based his opera in part on the short story "Madame Butterfly" by John Luther Long, which was dramatized by David Belasco...
(1904). At Ricordi's he has as colleague Giovanni Mario Mataloni and as students Leopoldo Metlicovitz and Marcello Dudovich.
Return to Germany
In the first years of the 1900s, after marrying Katharina Plaskuda, a widow, he travels more and more frequently between Italy and Germany till 1906, year in which, after winning the competition for the graphical symbol and the poster for the "Esposizione per il Traforo del Sempione", he leaves Milan for Bonn and Düsseldorf definitively. He will settle in Bonn in 1918. The German years see him engaged mostly as a painter and involved in the decoration of numerous buildings, among them one of first in constructed reinforced concrete in Renania (1911).Adolfo Hohenstein died in Bonn 12 April 1928.
Main poster works
- 1898 - Corriere della SeraCorriere della SeraThe Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
- 1898 - Cintura Calliano contro il mal di mare
- 1899 - Onoranze a VoltaAlessandro VoltaCount Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Gerolamo Umberto Volta was a Lombard physicist known especially for the invention of the battery in 1800.-Early life and works:...
nel centenario della pila - 1899 - Tosca
- 1899 - Cesare Urtis & Co. Torino. Forniture electriche
- 1900 - Monte Carlo. Tir aux pigeons
- 1900 - Monaco. Exposition et concours de canots automobiles
- 1901 - Bitter Campari
- 1904 - Madama Butterfly
- 1905 - Fiammiferi senza fosforo del Dottor Craveri
- 1906 - Birra Italia
Main theatre works (Ricordi Archives)
- Giacomo PucciniGiacomo PucciniGiacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire...
, Le VilliLe VilliLe Villi is an opera-ballet in two acts composed by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, based on the short story Les Willis by Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr. Karr's story was in turn based in the Central European legend of the Willis, also used in the ballet Giselle...
, Milan, Teatro Dal VermeTeatro Dal VermeThe Teatro Dal Verme is a theatre in Milan, Italy located on the Via San Giovanni sul Muro, on the site of the former private theatre the Politeama Ciniselli. It was designed by Giuseppe Pestagalli to a commission from Count Francesco Dal Verme, and was used primarily for plays and opera...
, 31 May 1884
- 2 original sketches
- 2 scenario props
- Giacomo Puccini, EdgarEdgarEdgar is a common name from Old English words ead + gar . Literally meaning "prosperity-spear" or "prosperous spearman." It may refer to:-Historical:...
, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 21 April 1889
- Giacomo Puccini, Edgar
- 54 original costumes
- 5 scenario props
- Richard WagnerRichard WagnerWilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
, Mastersingers of NurembergDie Meistersinger von NürnbergDie Meistersinger von Nürnberg is an opera in three acts, written and composed by Richard Wagner. It is among the longest operas still commonly performed today, usually taking around four and a half hours. It was first performed at the Königliches Hof- und National-Theater in Munich, on June 21,...
, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 26 December 1889
- Richard Wagner
- 62 original costumes
- 4 set props
- Alfredo CatalaniAlfredo CatalaniAlfredo Catalani was an Italian operatic composer. He is best remembered for his operas Loreley and La Wally...
, Loreley, Torino, Teatro Regio, 16 February 1890
- Alfredo Catalani
- 42 original costumes
- Alfredo Catalani, La WallyLa WallyLa Wally is a four-act opera by Alfredo Catalani, composed on a libretto by Luigi Illica, and first performed at La Scala, Milan on 20 January 1892....
, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 20 January 1892
- Alfredo Catalani, La Wally
- 4 original sketches
- 41 original costumes
- 1 set prop
- Alberto FranchettiAlberto FranchettiAlberto Franchetti was an Italian opera composer.-Biography:Alberto Franchetti was born in Turin, a Jewish nobleman of independent means. He studied first in Venice, then in Dresden under Felix Draeseke, and finally at the Munich Conservatory under Josef Rheinberger. His first major success...
, Cristoforo Colombo, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 26 January 1892
- Alberto Franchetti
- 90 figurini originali
- Niccolò van WesterhoutNiccolò van WesterhoutNiccolò van Westerhout was an Italian composer.-History and formal training:Of Flemish origin, the family van Westerhout settled in Apulia in the seventeenth century, first in Bari and then in Monopoli...
, Cimbelino, Rome, Teatro ArgentinaTeatro ArgentinaThe Teatro Argentina is an opera house and theatre located in the Largo di Torre Argentina, a square in Rome, Italy. It is one of the oldest theatres in Rome, and was inaugurated on January 31, 1732 with Berenice by Domenico Sarro....
, 7 April 1892
- Niccolò van Westerhout
- 37 original costumes
- 3 set props
- Giacomo Puccini, Manon LescautManon LescautManon Lescaut is a short novel by French author Abbé Prévost. Published in 1731, it is the seventh and final volume of Mémoires et aventures d'un homme de qualité . It was controversial in its time and was banned in France upon publication...
, Torino, Teatro Regio, 1893
- Giacomo Puccini, Manon Lescaut
- 57 original costumes
- 4 set props
- Giuseppe Verdi, FalstaffFalstaff (opera)Falstaff is an operatic commedia lirica in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, adapted by Arrigo Boito from Shakespeare's plays The Merry Wives of Windsor and scenes from Henry IV. It was Verdi's last opera, written in the composer's ninth decade, and only the second of his 26 operas to be a comedy...
, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 9 February 1893
- Giuseppe Verdi, Falstaff
- 5 original sketches
- 41 original costumes
- 4 set props
- 13 watercolor designs
- Giacomo Puccini, La BohèmeLa bohèmeLa bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
, Torino, Teatro Regio, 1 February 1896
- Giacomo Puccini, La Bohème
- 3 original sketches
- 62 original costumes
- 4 set props
- Pietro MascagniPietro MascagniPietro Antonio Stefano Mascagni was an Italian composer most noted for his operas. His 1890 masterpiece Cavalleria rusticana caused one of the greatest sensations in opera history and single-handedly ushered in the Verismo movement in Italian dramatic music...
, IrisIris (opera)Iris is an opera in three acts by Pietro Mascagni to an original Italian libretto by Luigi Illica. Its first performance was at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 22 November 1898.The opera is through-composed and set in Japan during legendary times...
, Rome, Teatro Costanzi, 22 November 1898
- Pietro Mascagni
- 3 original sketches
- 40 original costumes
- 9 set props
- 1 portrait of Mascagni
- Giacomo Puccini, ToscaToscaTosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900...
, Rome, Teatro Costanzi, 14 January 1900
- Giacomo Puccini, Tosca
- 3 original sketches
- 49 original costumes
- 4 set props
- Alberto Franchetti, Germania, Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 1 March 1902
- 4 original sketches
- 95 original costumes
- 7 set props
- Franco AlfanoFranco AlfanoFranco Alfano was an Italian composer and pianist. Best known today for his opera Risurrezione and above all for having completed Puccini's opera Turandot in 1926. He had considerable success with several of his own works during his lifetime.- Biography :He was born in Posillipo, Naples...
, Risurrezione, Torino, Teatro Regio, 1904
- Franco Alfano
- 2 set props
Exhibitions
- 1894 - Esposizioni Riunite, MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense - 1911 - Katalog der Grossen Kunstausstellung Düsseldorf (27 May - 8 October), DüsseldorfDüsseldorfDüsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
, Kunst-Akademie - 1912 - Katalog der Frühjars-Ausstellung (3 March - 14 April), Düsseldorf, Kunst-Akademie
- 1916 - Kunstkronik, Neue Folge 26, Monaco, Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte
- 1917 - Grosse Berliner Kunstausstellung, Düsseldorf, Kunst-Akademie
External links
- 2003 Treviso retrospective (in Italian)