International studio (41.1910)

The Brussels Exhibition

In the details one frequently finds introduced
ingenious and dainty refinements; the materials—
wood, metal, glass, clay—are utilised to advantage
and so as to secure the full measure of their
decorative effect; and as to the workmanship,
that is carried to the point of minute care, every-
thing savouring of trashiness or triviality being
scrupulously avoided. Art can be brought to
bear even on the very smallest things.

While acknowledging that this German display
of furniture and decoration strikes one as a little
sombre, we must bear in mind that we have to
do here with a northern race, and that if Germany
is intent on creating for her " Heim" a style
adapted to the habits of her people and the climate
of the country, far from being a reproach to her,
it is, on the contrary, a movement calling for the
highest praise.

It is hardly possible to mention here the names
of all those who have collaborated so happily in
this enterprise. Most of them, like Emanuel von
Seidl and Bruno Paul (who have taken the

principal share in it), Max Lauger, Peter Behrens,
Richard Riemerschmid, Albin Miiller, Schultze-
Naumburg, Hermann Billing, Wilhelm Kreis, Karl
Bertsch, Max Heidrich, and others, need no
introduction to readers of this magazine. In the
various rooms arranged by these architects are to
be found examples of decorative painting and of
sculpture in stone or wood by prominent artists,
such as Adolf Munzer, Paul Peterich, W. Schmarje,
Josef Wackerle, Fritz Erler, C. A. Bermann. Of
the numerous designers who are represented in
the galleries where the multitudinous objects of
pottery and porcelain, metal work, &c, are dis-
played, I must speak on another occasion when
dealing with these classes of work.

Before quitting the subject of domestic interiors,
I should like to draw attention to the two fully
furnished specimens of artisans' houses which have
been set up in close proximity to the principal
buildings of the German section. The architect of
these is Herr George Metzendorf, who, like
numerous other talented architects in Germany,

KITCHEN IN ARTlSAN'o COTTAGE DESIGNED BY G. METZENDORF, ARCHITECT

FURNITURE EXECUTED BY GEBR. SCHUMANN, ESSEN. STOVE BY DRUNER & HATTENBERG