Studio: international art (24.1902)

Professor J. M. Olbrich

all built by Olbrich, and all white and well-lighted, them the charm of simplicity and uniformity, and
Some roofs are sloping, others fiat and verandah- renders them greatly attractive,
like, in the style of southern Italy. Opposite to Olbrich has used frontal ornament only for his
the Ernst Ludwig House is an exhibition building own house, this consisting of glazed tiles in the
for paintings, and to the right the theatre. Behind fagade up to the first storey. Probably this is his
the Ernst Ludwig House there is a large refresh- special fancy ; at least, I know of no constructive
ment building, and distributed about the grounds authority for this decoration.

are various small pavilions for flowers, catalogues, New architecture, such as that of Olbrich,
&c. All this is the work of Olbrich, whose dwel- demands close consideration. In many ways it
ling-houses are light, cheerful and graceful, and is open to criticism, but we should not forget how
harmonise admirably with the mountainous land- much of positive excellence, how much that is
scape scenery around. But they are houses which capable of development, is to be found in each of -
would not be very desirable in winter; storms and those houses. How finely, for instance, has the
snow would deprive them of all their charm. The chimney stack, which usually protrudes stiff and
custom of building in brick and covering the facade immovable, been joined to the face of each house,
with white plaster, no doubt excellent for country and never twice in the same manner ! How much,
houses, has, as may be seen, its disadvantages, too, has been effected by changes in the level, and
Moreover, in a house one likes the impression of how much has been done in the interior for comfort!
solidity, of durability. Olbrich's aim is all in this direction. He desires

Plain brick or stone buildings are often very that men artistically disposed should feel comfort-
effective. There is hardly ever any outward able in rooms which correspond to their indi-
ornamentation on Olbrich's houses. This gives viduality, and that others should become more

cultivated by living in
artistic interiors. Educa-
tion by means of art-handi-
craft, not by dilettantism,
but by the daily use of
artistic household furniture
and utensils, is the special
desire of those who, in
Germany and Austria, are
fighting for the new
art.

The greatest scope for
the free exercise of his
plans was, of course,
afforded to Olbrich in his
own house. Here every
room has its own special
note. Here every detail
is harmonious, every trifle
ingenious and suggestive.
The endeavour to stamp
perceptibly upon the
exterior of each object a
plain relation to its purpose
is one of Olbrich's chief
characteristics. There is
something of the poet in
him in his effort to produce
harmony. In this way he
often (by his colour

i'i re place PEsiGKEi. by j. m. c.BKn ii schemes, for instance) ob-

From •" Olbrich ArchiteJctur"(Berlin: Ernst Wasmuth). tains excellent effects, but,

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