:Kurt Martin
{{Short description|German art historian}}
{{about|a German art historian|other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
File:Rubens-veronica-spinola.jpg
Kurt Martin (31 January 1899 – 27 January 1975) was a German art historian. His career began in 1927 as curator of the {{ill|Baden State Museum Karlsruhe|de|Badisches Landesmuseum}}. From 1934 to 1956, he was director of the Staatlichen Kunsthalle Karlsruhe (National Art Gallery Karlsruhe). In 1940 he was appointed Head of the Municipal Museums of Strasbourg as well as Chief Commissioner of the Alsatian Museums. In 1956 he became Director of the Karlsruher Kunstakademie (Academy of Art Karlsruhe), and in 1957 General Director of the Bayerischen Staatsgemäldesammlungen (Bavarian State Painting Collection). He was also a professor of art history.
Early life and education
Kurt Martin was born on 31 January 1899 in Zürich, Switzerland, the third son of Rudolf Martin (1864–1925), professor of anthropology from Baden, and his wife Anna Hein (1865–1940). In Zürich, he attended elementary school before changing to the École Nouvelle in Lausanne and later to a secondary school in Karlsruhe. There he passed his Abitur (final secondary school examinations) in 1917.
He served as a soldier in World War I.Tessa Friederike Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin und das Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg. Museums- und Ausstellungspolitik im 'Dritten Reich‘ und in der unmittelbaren Nachkriegszeit", (Kurt Martin and the Fine Arts Museum in Strasbourg. Exhibition and Museum Policies in the Third Reich and right after the war) Akademie-Verlag, Berlin 2012, p. 48
In 1920 he started his philosophy studies (among others with Martin Heidegger and Edmund Husserl) and majored in art history (with Hans Jantzen) at the University of Freiburg. He completed his art studies in 1924 at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München with Heinrich Wölfflin (1864–1945) with his PhD thesis on the subject of "Die Nürnberger Steinplastik im 14. Jahrhundert" (The Nuremberger Effigy in the 14th century).
Career
= 1927–1934: Mannheim and Baden State Museum=
Martin started his career in 1927 as a volunteer at the Kunsthalle Mannheim (Art Gallery Mannheim) with Gustav Friedrich Hartlaub. Soon he was appointed research assistant and subsequently curator at the Badisches Landesmuseum (Baden State Museum), Karlsruhe. In 1931 he addressed himself to the task of organizing the exhibition "German Poets as Painters and Drawers" for the Kunstverein (art society) Heidelberg.
= Badisches Armeemuseum =
In the early 1930s Martin met Robert Wagner, a confidant of Adolf Hitler and NSDAP politician with whom Martin would have to do until 1945.Ernst Klee: "Das Personenlexikon zum Dritten Reich". Wer war was vor und nach 1945. (Dictionary of the people of the Third Reich. Who was who before and after 1945) Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 2nd updated edition, Frankfurt am Main 2005, {{ISBN|978-3-596-16048-8}}, p. 651, s. a. Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", p. 25–34
In the autumn of 1933 Wagner commissioned Martin with the development and organization of an army museum of Baden. Together with the retired Colonel Erich Blankenhorn, who had just been dismissed as chief of the Badische Landespolizei (State Police of Baden) by the new rulers, he built up an independent museum under the aegis of the Baden State Museum Karlsruhe (Badisches Landesmuseum), called Badisches Armeemuseum (Army Museum of Baden)Vereinigung der Freunde des Wehrgeschichtlichen Museums Schloss Rastatt e. V. [ed.]: Gang durch die Geschichte. 75 Jahre Wehrgeschichtliches Museum und 50 Jahre Vereinigung der Freunde des WGM. Katalog zur Sonderausstellung 18. Juli bis 31. Oktober 2009 im Wehrgeschichtlichen Museum in Rastatt (Society of the Friends of the Wehrgeschichtliche Museum Schloss Rastatt (ed.): A walk through history. 75 years of WGM Museum and 50 years of reunited Friends of the WGM. Catalogue of the Special Exhibition 18 July until 31 October 2009 at the WGM in Rastatt) Catalogue No. 7 of the series: collection of studies and special exhibitions at the Wehrgeschichtliches Museum Rastatt, Karlsruhe 2009, {{ISBN|3-9810460-3-X}}., p. 10, s. a. Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", pp. 49–53 For this purpose premises were made available in the former stables of the Karlsruhe Palace, the residence of the State museum. On 13 May 1934 Robert Wagner and Kurt Martin inaugurated the museum with 80.000 guests and two days of celebration. Besides departments of the army of the Reich (Reichswehr) and color guards of the military associations, a row of delegations of NS-organizations, including SA, SS and Reich Labor Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst), marched up in the demilitarized zone.Der Führer, edition: 13 May 1934: "Militär-Großkonzert mit Schlachtenfeuerwerk im Stadtgarten", "Der Aufmarsch am Sonntag", "Ruf an die Soldaten", "Ein Rundgang durchs Armee-Museum" ("Grand military concert and battle fireworks in the city garden", "The deployment in sunday", "Call to the soldiers", "A tour through the Army Museum")Der Führer, edition: 13 May 1934, Le Temps, 13 May 1934, p. 1, "DÉPÊCHES DE L' ÉTRANGER", s. a. Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", pp. 49–53
In his opening speech from the balcony of the palace, Martin declared that the museum had benefited from over one thousand donations of military antiques. The museum was not only supposed to include the regiments of Baden, but also the regiments of the earlier 15th Alsatian army corps. The museum was supposed to be a "speaking memorial, teaching everyone the military-political achievements of our frontier people. [...] Here the youth shall learn to respect and understand the achievements of their fathers."Badische Werkkunst, (Art creation in Baden) Year 1934/35, August, pp. 1–4 and Durlacher Tagblatt, edition: 14 May 1934 Wagner said about the purposes of the museum: "What is given to the public today in the shape of the Army Museum is nothing else than an intellectual legacy from a time of struggling and fighting for our Germany for the struggle and fight for our Germany."Der Führer, edition: 13 May 1934, p. 1: "Das Badische Armeemuseum eröffnet: Ein Stützpunkt deutscher Zukunftshoffnung. Riesenkundgebung auf dem Karlsruher Schloßplatz – Reichsstatthalter Robert Wagner über die Bedeutung des Museums" ("The Badische Armeemuseum opens: A base for german hope for the future: Great manifestation on the Schlossplatz in Karlsruhe – The Reichstatthalter Robert Wagner on the importance of the museum") In reality, the exhibition was nothing more than a "Potemkin village". Erich Blankenhorn commented on the state of the museum on the date of the opening and said that due to the short preparation period "it was only possible to decorate the first royal stables with historically incoherent paintings and objects." For that reason the museum was closed one day after the opening.Vereinigung der Freunde des Wehrgeschichtlichen Museums Schloss Rastatt e.V. [ed..]: "Gang durch die Geschichte", p. 10
= 1934: Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe (''National Art Gallery Karlsruhe'') =
On 2 July 1934 Wagner appointed Martin head of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe (National Art Gallery Karlsruhe). He succeeded Hans Adolf Bühler, who was loyal to the party line and whose management of the museum was characterized by a radical opposition to the so-called degenerate art.Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", p. 63 Martin remained head of the Staatliche Kunsthalle until 1956.
= Exhibitions 1934–1940 =
Between 1934 and 1939 the Staatliche Kunsthalle was limited in its activities. In the years between 1934 and 1937 the orangery building of the botanical garden was remodeled in order to accommodate a special department for the Baden paintings of the late 19th and 20th century as from 1938. Since 1934 the department of the old German Masterpieces had been reorganized. It was reopened to the public in 1937. Finally, the also redesigned department of the Dutch and Flemish painters reopened as well.Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, in Oberrheinische Kunst. Jahrbuch der oberrheinischen Museen. Jg. 8 (1939) (Yearbook of the Museums of the Upper Rhine, 8th year), pp. 199–203; Rosebrock loc. cit., p. 61 and 75
Between 1934 and 1937 several exhibitions were organized in the gallery of prints, including an exhibition about Hans Thoma in 1934 and an exhibition of the most recent acquisitions of old German masterpieces by the Staatliche Kunsthalle in 1936.
Furthermore, two travelling exhibitions were organized for the elementary schools in Baden. In 1936 an exhibition about Hans Thoma was shown in 55 locations and totaled about 90.000 visitors, and in 1937 an exhibition about Albrecht Dürer was shown in 25 locations and registered about 45.000 visitors.
Between 1934 and 1937 the Staatliche Kunsthalle organized annually, among others, about forty tours for the Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reichs Labor Service), the organization "Kraft durch Freude" (KdF) (Strength Through Joy), the NS-Frauenschaft (Nazi women’s organization), the sisterhood of the Red Cross and schools.
Just before the beginning of the war, on 2 July 1939, the museum was reopened and back in full operation.Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe (Tätigkeitsbericht 1938/39 – activity report 1938/1939), in Oberrheinische Kunst. Jahrbuch der oberrheinischen Museen (Yearbook of the Upper Rhine Museums) Year 9, 1940, P. 226–227, s. a. Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", p. 62 At the same time the Kunsthalle celebrated its 100th anniversary. On this occasion Robert Wagner opened a memorial exhibition for Hans Thoma showing 180 works. Besides private collectors and galleries, the Nationalgalerie (National Gallery) in Berlin, the Hamburger Kunsthalle (Art Gallery Hamburg) and the Städtische Galerie Frankfurt (Municipal Gallery Frankfurt) contributed to this exhibition with loans. Martin meant to present Thoma as "a master of the German landscape and as a great portraitist".e. g. "Hans-Thoma-Schau in Karlsruhe (…) Unterredung mit Direktor Dr. Martin von der Staatlichen Kunsthalle" ("Hans Thoma show in Karlsruhe (...) Discussion with director Dr. Martin from the Staatliche Kunsthalle")and from 2 July 1939, p.4: "Hans-Thoma-Gedächtnis-Ausstellung in Karlsruhe. 180 auserlesene Meisterwerke – Die erste Ausstellung in Deutschland zum 100jährigen Geburtstag des Meisters" ("Hans Thoma memorial exhibition in Karlsruhe. 180 chosen masterpieces – The first exhibition in Germany for the 100th birthday of the Master") At the same time the newly renovated "Feuerbachsaal" was reopened to the public. It contained the German paintings of the 19th century that had been "rearranged". The state government of Baden donated a work of Trübner, and the city of Karlsruhe a work of Thoma.
From 1940 on, the Kunsthalle remained closed.Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, in Oberrheinische Kunst. Jahrbuch der oberrheinischen Museen. (Yearbook of the Upper Rhine Museums) Year 8 (1939), p. 201.
= Art acquisitions in general =
Between 1934 and 1937 the Kunsthalle acquired 115 paintings under the direction of Martin, including works of Hans Thoma, Emil Lugo and Hermann Daur.Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, in Oberrheinische Kunst. Jahrbuch der oberrheinischen Museen. Jg. 8 (1939) (Yearbook of the Museums of the Upper Rhine, 8th year), P. 199-203. According to Rosebrock, P. 61 and 75 Martin would have closed the museum for a few years after beginning to work there. It would have been his goal to draw the public attention away from the museum through that. The renovation works therefore would only have been a pretext.
From 1938 to 1939 the Kunsthalle acquired 53 paintings. Martin emphasized paintings of Wilhelm Trübner, Anselm Feuerbach and Hans Thoma in his account report. Among the works that were marked as "transfers" were paintings by Karl Buchholz, Hermann Burte, Joseph Fratrel and Adolph von Menzel. At the same time the Kunsthalle acquired 175 drawings, 636 graphic print works and four sketchbooks. Regarding the drawings, Martin emphasized eight sheets by Ferdinand Kobell, three by Franz Kobell and nine by Wilhelm Trübner, as well as – a gift of the NSDAP-Gauleitung of Baden – the "valuable early drawing of Hans Thoma, Schönau im Wiesental (Schönau in the valley of Wiesen)".Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe (Tätigkeitsbericht 1938/39 – activity report 1938/1939), in Oberrheinische Kunst. Jahrbuch der oberrheinischen Museen. (Yearbook of the Upper Rhine) Year 9, 1940, P. 226–227, Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 61–64
In 1940, the collection of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe "was enriched by a few works mainly by artists from Baden". For example, the museum acquired paintings from Albert Lang, Fritz Boehle, Ferdinand Keller, Ernst Württemberger, and Eduard Hunziker, and several drawings by Hans Thoma and Ferdinand Keller.Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, in Oberrheinische Kunst. Jahrbuch der oberrheinischen Museen. (Yearbook of the Upper Rhine Museum) Year 8 (1939), S. 199–203.
In his activities report for the year 1940, Martin wrote: "The General Administration managed to accomplish a few essential acquisitions for the public museums which will be reported about later in context."
= Art acquisition from Jewish collections =
The Kunsthalle Karlsruhe continuously took over art works from originally Jewish property. In a statement from 1947, Martin listed about 100 works, including works from the collections of Richard Lenel, Mannheim (one work), Benno Weil, Mannheim (one work), Siegfried Reiss, Mannheim (44 works), Arthur Levis, Karlsruhe (one work), E. Reiss, Heidelberg (three works), Paul Homburger, Karlsruhe (three works), Ettlinger, Karlsruhe (one work),{{Cite web|title = Ehre: "Monument Man" in Karlsruhe {{!}} Jüdische Allgmeine|url = http://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/article/view/id/18414|website = www.juedische-allgemeine.de|accessdate = 10 June 2015|first= Georg| last = Patzer|date = 15 February 2014}} Klara Goldschmit, Karlsruhe, Salomon, Karlsruhe (one work), Ernst Gallinek, Baden Baden (16 works and a porcelain collection including more than 400 objects){{Cite web|url = http://www.lostart.de/Webs/EN/Datenbank/EinzelobjektFund.html?cms_param=EOBJ_ID%3D407997%26_page%3D0%26_sort%3Dperson_en%26_anchor%3Did4442|title = Lost Art Database|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = See}} and Violetta von Waldberg, Heidelberg (wife of Max von Waldberg){{Cite web|title = German Website of the Historical Society of Heidelberg (Heidelberger Geschichtsverein e.V.) on the life of Max von Waldberg|url = http://www.s197410804.online.de/Personen/WaldbergM.htm|website = www.s197410804.online.de|accessdate = 10 June 2015}} (four works). The Kunsthalle took over these works from other State authorities that had expropriated the previous owners. Most of the works mentioned by Martin were transferred to the Kunsthalle from authorities, partly against payment. The Kunsthalle acquired 20 works on its own initiative from an "Auction Sale of Jewish Property 6th–9th August 1941 in Karlsruhe".Kurt Martin: Verzeichnis der von der Staatlichen Kunsthalle Karlsruhe seit 1933 aus jüdischen Besitz erworbenen Gemälde, Zeichnungen und druckgraphische Blätter. Karlsruhe, 28. Januar 1947 (Register of the paintings acquired by the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe) from jewish property since 1933. In: US-NARA, RG 260, M1947. Textual records created at the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point. Roll 1. General Records. Art Intelligence: Kunsthalle. Page 1–11; see also Marlene Angermeyer-Deubner: Die Kunsthalle im Dritten Reich (The Kunsthalle in the Third Reich). in: Stilstreit und Führerprinzip (Dispute on style and principle of the Führer). Badischer Kunstverein Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe 1987 (Art society of Baden), P. 139, 155. and Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 101
In 1935, Kurt Martin acquired the work Portrait of the Marchesa Veronica Spinola Doria by Peter Paul Rubens for 63.000 Reichsmark at the liquidation auction of the Gallery van Diemen & Co. GmbH.Paul Graupe (Editor): Die Bestände der Firmen Galerie van Diemen & Co.GmbH – Altkunst, Antiquitäten, GmbH: beide in Liquidation; II. (letzter) Teil (The inventory of the Gallery van Diemen & Co.GmbH – and the Altkunst, Antiquitäten, GmbH: both in Liquidation: 2nd (last) part); 26 and 27 April 1935 (catalogue Nb. 142), Lot number 80, [http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/graupe1935_04_26/0032 digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de]; Gunnar Schnabel, Monika Tatzkow: Nazi Looted Art. Handbuch. Kunstrestitution weltweit, Berlin 2007, P. 265ff. [http://www.lostart.de/Content/051_ProvenienzRaubkunst/DE/Sammler/D/van%20Diemen.html On the gallery, see German Lost Art Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309070901/http://www.lostart.de/Content/051_ProvenienzRaubkunst/DE/Sammler/D/van%20Diemen.html |date=9 March 2018 }} In the 1950s the Kunsthalle Karlsruhe paid compensation to the heirs of the Jewish gallery directors. In 2000 a new compensation was claimed without success.{{Cite web|title = Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe (State Art Gallery of Karlsruhe)|url = http://www.lootedart.com/MFEU4D92814_print%25253bY|website = www.lootedart.com|accessdate = 10 June 2015}} This acquisition was not mentioned in the report for the years 1934 until 1937.
= 1940 – 1944: "Oberrheinische" museums ("''Upper Rhine" museums'') =
With the occupation of Alsatia, Robert Wagner became chief of the Alsatian Civilian Administration and had complete political freedom. It was his main objective to ensure that Alsatia become "German" again, in particular that Strasbourg become the "preeminent first cultural center of the German Reich".Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 30–34 He pursued this goal in the performing arts by founding several theatres and establishing German libraries.Lothar Kettenacker: "Nationalsozialistische Volkstumspolitik im Elsaß", Stuttgart 1973, P. 180–183 (Nazi Nation Politics in Alsatia) Moreover, he prohibited the use of the French language in public and Germanized all toponyms.Kettenacker: a. a. O., P. 74
Kurt Martin was responsible for the museums and helped Wagner prepare his "vision of a cultural model-district Alsatia-Baden".Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 83f
= State representative for the museums in Alsatia =
File:Master of Frankfurt 002.jpg
On 17 November 1940, as "State Representative for the Museums in Alsatia", Martin describes the initial situation in Strasbourg in the light of the new political realities in an article about the future of the museums in "our land at the Upper Rhine": In the city, the Palais RohanThe Archeological Museum (Musée Archéologique), the Decorative Arts Museum (Musée des Arts décoratifs), the Graphic and Print Museum (Cabinet des estampes et dessins) and the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-arts) were located in the Palais Rohan. and the Frauenhausmuseum unite the architecture of the Middle Ages and the 18th century in a "unique way in Germany". This unity is also reflected in the museums' inventories. Martin aimed especially at the development of museums as places of national education with a regional and local focus.
With this scope in mind, Martin aimed at the expansion of the Strasbourg collection "on European grounds". He wanted to develop the collection as a collection of European significance.Der Führer, Sonderausgabe (Special Edition) 17 November 1940, "Museen am Oberrhein" (Museums of the Upper Rhine)
= Director of the Municipal Museums of Strasbourg and Chief Commissioner of the Upper Rhine Museums =
At the instigation of Wagner, Martin became director of the Municipal Museums of Strasbourg.Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 90 He also kept his position in Karlsruhe. As of 1 April 1941 he became the Director of the General Administration of the Upper Rhine Museums, thus of all museums in Baden and Alsatia.
= Art purchased in the Netherlands =
From 1941 to 1944, Martin purchased about 40 paintings and a series of other objet d'arts in the Netherlands.Distilled overview by Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 125 Remark number 171, above all P. 147–160 and P. 170 Some works with Dutch provenance, which Martin purchased, are part of the Dutch art collection (NK Collection) today; see list below.[http://www.herkomstgezocht.nl/eng/nkcollectie/index.html NK-Collection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025801/http://www.herkomstgezocht.nl/eng/nkcollectie/index.html |date=24 September 2015 }}.
= OSS Art Looting Intelligence Unit Red Flag list =
In 1946, Martin was investigated for his role in acquiring art from Nazi-occupied areas for German museums and placed on the "Red Flag" list. The entries concerning him were mixed, featuring both a reputation for integrity and suspicions that he was playing a "double game" concerning Nazi-looted art.{{Cite web|title=Art Looting Intelligence Unit (ALIU) Reports 1945–1946 and ALIU Red Flag Names List and Index|url=https://www.lootedart.com/MVI3RM469661|access-date=15 April 2021|website=www.lootedart.com|quote=Martin, Dr Kurt. Karlsruhe, Stephanienstr 13. Former Director of the Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe and Director of all the museums in Alsace during the German occupation. Personal expert for Abetz. Active in Paris in acquiring works of art for German institutions by purchase. Widespread reputation as a man of integrity and strong anti-Nazi leanings. According to one authoritative source, however, he played a double game. Present whereabouts possibly Pfullendorf, on Lake Constance.}}{{Cite web|title=Lost Art Internet Database – Beteiligte Privatpersonen und Körperschaften am NS-Kulturgutraub – Martin, Prof. Dr. Kurt|url=https://www.lostart.de/Content/051_ProvenienzRaubkunst/DE/Beteiligte/M/Martin,%20Prof.%20Dr.%20Kurt.html?nn=5150&cms_lv2=95564&cms_lv3=83356|url-status=dead|access-date=15 April 2021|website=www.lostart.de|quote=Martin, Prof. Dr. Kurt 1899–1975; Kunsthistoriker, Studium bei Hans Jantzen, Freiburg, und Heinrich Wölfflin, München, 1924 Promotion bei Heinrich Wölfflin, 1934 kommissarischer Leiter Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, 1927 Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, 1939 Kunstsachverständiger für die Devisenstelle, Oberfinanzdirektion Baden, 1940–45 als Direktor der Generalverwaltung der oberrheinischen Museen für alle Museen im Elsass zuständig, 1941–42 Erwerbungen durch Wüster in Paris und durch Plitzsch in den Niederlanden|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415083729/https://www.lostart.de/Content/051_ProvenienzRaubkunst/DE/Beteiligte/M/Martin,%20Prof.%20Dr.%20Kurt.html?nn=5150&cms_lv2=95564&cms_lv3=83356}}
= Post-War period =
File:NK2740 Terborch Musikstunde.jpg]]
Kurt Martin was able to reintegrate his position as director of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe immediately in the summer of 1945, especially because Walter W. Horn, officers from the French Art Protection and his former French colleagues from Strasbourg confirmed his great integrity and qualification. Martin supported the French and American authorities in locating and rescuing the artworks that had been stored for purposes of protection during wartime.Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 253–261
In 1946 he co-founded the International Council of Museums and remained director of the German National Committee for 15 years. From 1948 until shortly before his death in 1975, he was a member of the administrative board of the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg.Elfriede Schulze-Battmann: Martin, Kurt. In: Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB). (New German Biography) Volume 16, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1990, {{ISBN|3-428-00197-4}}, S. 281 f. (Digitalisat). In 1947 he was already able to exhibit masterpieces of the museum in St. Gall. In 1951 he reopened the museum in Karlsruhe. He added a pedagogical department to the museum, which was a novel idea at the time. In 1948 he curated an exhibition of German art for the Federal Foreign Office, which was shown in several cities in the United States.Rosebrock: "Kurt Martin", P. 332f In 1950 he organized the exhibition Des maîtres de Cologne à Albrecht Dürer showing works of old German masters in Paris. He initiated the exhibition German watercolors, drawings and prints: A midcentury review, which was shown by the German government in the US in 1956. Martin was one of the co-founders of the documenta in Kassel, an exhibition for contemporary art that took place for the first in time 1956. He was a member of the documenta-council for many years.
In 1956 he became director of the Academy of Art Karlsruhe. In 1957 he transferred to Munich, succeeding Ernst Buchner in the General Direction of the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen (Bavarian State Painting Collections). He retired in 1964. In Munich, Martin was responsible for the establishment of several museum branches in different cities in Bavaria. He also promoted the extension of the Munich Museum collections to contemporary art works.
Recognition
According to the Metzler Dictionary of Art Historians, Martin was one of the leading museum directors of his time.Christiane Fork: Martin, Kurt. In: Metzler Kunsthistoriker Lexikon. Zweihundertzehn Porträts deutschsprachiger Autoren aus vier Jahrhunderten. (Metzler Dictionary of Art Historians. Two hundred portraits of German authors from four centuries) 2nd edition. Metzler, Stuttgart 1999, P. 276
In 1963 he received the Bavarian Order of Merit and in 1964 he was appointed to Dr.-Ing. e.h. by the TH Karlsruhe.{{cn|date=February 2024}}{{explain|is this an honorary doctorate?|date=February 2024}}
Personal life
Martin was a Protestant. He married medical doctor Hildegard Wangrin in 1928.{{NDB|16|281|282|Martin, Kurt|Elfriede Schulze-Battmann|116805188}} ("Martin, Kurt", New German Biography)
List of art purchased in the Netherlands
In the database of the NK Collection, the following purchases of Martin are listed:
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{DNB-Portal|116805188| NAME =Kurt Martin}}
- [http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/martink.htm Kurt Martin in Dictionary of Art Historians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306145419/https://dictionaryofarthistorians.org/martink.htm |date=6 March 2016 }}
- [http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-44914750.html Der Spiegel of 15 November 1971, "Unschwer zu erkennen", p. 65]
- [http://www.lostart.de/Webs/DE/Datenbank/InstitutionFund.html?cms_param=menu%3Dobjgrp%26INST_ID%3D158#id68140 Found Objects Reports of the Bayerischen Staatsgemäldesammlungen, retrieved on 6 June 2015]
- [http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-90750450.html Der Spiegel of 28 January 2013, p. 34]
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Category:German art historians
Category:People from the Grand Duchy of Baden
Category:Officials of Nazi Germany
Category:Germany in World War II
Category:Badisches Landesmuseum