DOI issue:
Nr. 116 (November 1902)
DOI article:Fred, Alfred W.: The International Exhibition of Decorative Art at Turin, the Austrian section
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19877#0144
Ttirin Exhibition
very satisfactory architectural effect of triviality,
with which we are familiar from other examples,
without revealing any strong artistic feeling. Some
mural paintings by Josef Engelhart which decorate
the entrance are, however, worthy of remark. In
this kiosk are to be seen examples of the industrial
arts of Austria, most of which have already been
shown in Paris, and recently also in London ;
while the second building should have formed a
little separate world of its own, since it was intended
to represent a little villa, after the model of the
exhibition of the artistic colony of Darmstadt,
completely furnished and fitted with objets d'art;
it thus really offered an opportunity ot showing the
visitors to the Turin Exhibition what the young
school of applied art in Austria could do. But I
cannot but admit that, though in these two build-
ings there is some very good work, especially
some carefully executed cabinet work and some
tasteful effects of colour arrangement, and a certain
quiet tone of homely elegance, the subtle element
which makes a true work of art is wholly
wanting : the impress, namely, of a distinctive
artistic individuality.
This villa is designed very much after the
English plan, and here again the facade shows
a quite singular treatment in its line and architec-
tecture, so we must be content to believe that
comfort was consulted in the matter of taste. A
large hall, designed by Herr Baumann and very
well carried out by J. W. Miiller, of Vienna, is
the central feature of the interior, and out of it
open a suite of reception rooms and a dining room
on the ground floor. A dinner lift is, however,
wholly lacking, as are many other conveniences for
a large household ; and such an omission, to say
nothing of the absence of a kitchen and of the
modem arrangements of domestic offices, is a
serious defect in this building. The first floor is
designed for bedrooms, but here again we find
nothing new, either in their plan or in the details
of the arrangements and furniture—little of any
artistic merit. Finally, we can but wonder what
there is in any way characteristic in the villa to
make it an example of modern decorative art.
The decoration of the interior is quite pleasing,
but in all respects insignificant. The central hall,
brown in its general tone, looks warm and comfort-
able ; its whole effect depends on some good wood
work. An adjoining boudoir shows a rather odd
arrangement of two corners filled in aslant—cosy
corners, so called—which has a very unrestful
effect. Still the decoration here, designed by
Witzmann, a young architect, is very good ; the
furniture pretty, elegant, and ornamental ; the
colouring, white and green, very agreeable ; and we
very satisfactory architectural effect of triviality,
with which we are familiar from other examples,
without revealing any strong artistic feeling. Some
mural paintings by Josef Engelhart which decorate
the entrance are, however, worthy of remark. In
this kiosk are to be seen examples of the industrial
arts of Austria, most of which have already been
shown in Paris, and recently also in London ;
while the second building should have formed a
little separate world of its own, since it was intended
to represent a little villa, after the model of the
exhibition of the artistic colony of Darmstadt,
completely furnished and fitted with objets d'art;
it thus really offered an opportunity ot showing the
visitors to the Turin Exhibition what the young
school of applied art in Austria could do. But I
cannot but admit that, though in these two build-
ings there is some very good work, especially
some carefully executed cabinet work and some
tasteful effects of colour arrangement, and a certain
quiet tone of homely elegance, the subtle element
which makes a true work of art is wholly
wanting : the impress, namely, of a distinctive
artistic individuality.
This villa is designed very much after the
English plan, and here again the facade shows
a quite singular treatment in its line and architec-
tecture, so we must be content to believe that
comfort was consulted in the matter of taste. A
large hall, designed by Herr Baumann and very
well carried out by J. W. Miiller, of Vienna, is
the central feature of the interior, and out of it
open a suite of reception rooms and a dining room
on the ground floor. A dinner lift is, however,
wholly lacking, as are many other conveniences for
a large household ; and such an omission, to say
nothing of the absence of a kitchen and of the
modem arrangements of domestic offices, is a
serious defect in this building. The first floor is
designed for bedrooms, but here again we find
nothing new, either in their plan or in the details
of the arrangements and furniture—little of any
artistic merit. Finally, we can but wonder what
there is in any way characteristic in the villa to
make it an example of modern decorative art.
The decoration of the interior is quite pleasing,
but in all respects insignificant. The central hall,
brown in its general tone, looks warm and comfort-
able ; its whole effect depends on some good wood
work. An adjoining boudoir shows a rather odd
arrangement of two corners filled in aslant—cosy
corners, so called—which has a very unrestful
effect. Still the decoration here, designed by
Witzmann, a young architect, is very good ; the
furniture pretty, elegant, and ornamental ; the
colouring, white and green, very agreeable ; and we