Forma et subtilitas

This work explores various aspects of art and architecture, beginning with the origins of Greek memoir writing through figures like Ion of Chios and Stesimbrotos of Thasos. It examines notable artworks, including the "Matidia" bust in Dresden and the oldest German depiction of Mary, alongside discussions on the architectural challenges of West choir halls along the Rhine and Maas rivers. The text delves into the interplay of scale and perspective in architecture, highlighting Donatello's "Boy with the Snakes" and Lukas Cranach's works related to Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg. It also addresses the significance of perspective during the High Renaissance, with notes on Raphael's portraits of the Doni couple and an unknown portrait by Girolamo Muziano. The analysis extends to the unique perspective in the Sistine Chapel ceiling and provides insights into Johann Wilhelm Baur's life and work. Further topics include baroque altar design, geometric curves in Balthasar Neumann's dome spaces, and the reception of ancient authors in modern European art. The text concludes with reflections on Watteau's shop sign, William Blake's complex persona, Daumier's role as a social critic, the impact of Impressionism, and memories of collaboration with Wolfgang Schöne at the Berlin National Gallery, along with a discussion on museum architecture in post-1945 Germany.