Fischer Collection (RG-31) Finding Aids to the Institutional Records of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in the VMFA Archives
|
Records of the Fischer Collection
RG-31 Record Group 31 (RG-31)
The collection was artifically created in order to bring together records about the Fischer collection residing in multiple
collections in the VMFA Archives, as well as in the museum's records at the Library of Virginia. As such, the collection is
entirely comprised of photocopies of records from the 1960s to the 2010s. To date, the museum has not located a collection
of contemporaneous Fischer family records within its collections.
The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond
that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Custodial History
The collection was artificially created by the VMFA Archives in February 2016.
Preferred Citation
Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.
Ludwig and Rosy Fischer acquired examples of German Expressionism between 1905 and 1925 and their collection included works
by artists who were key figures in the Die Brücke movement: Max Beckmann, Peter August Böckstiegel, Otto Dix, Conrad Felixmüeller,
Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Emil Nolde. Die Brücke ("the Bridge") was a pivotal movement within German Expressionism,
comprised of artists who responded subjectively to the changing world around them. Their style was defined by vivid colors,
strong lines, and distorted forms—characteristics that have come to symbolize German Expressionism as a whole.
The Fischer's collection was divided evenly between their sons, and after Ernst and his wife, Anne, left Germany and settled
in Richmond, Virginia, their half of the collection was preserved for more than 70 years in their home. In 2009, the Fischer
Collection became the last refugee collection of German Expressionism to enter a U.S. museum when it was acquired by VMFA
through a gift-purchase agreement with Ernst's widow, Anne Fischer.
The collection's inclusive dates are 1967-2013, with the bulk of the material dating from 1985-1987. The collection is comprised
of correspondence, memorandums, clippings, publicity, copies of photographs and slides and other ephemeral material.
These titles belonged to Ludwig and Rosy Fischer, and were donated to the museum in December 1995 by Anne Fischer.
J. B. Neumanns Bilderhefte, 19--?
Max Liebermann: Mit einem Porträt nach einer Photographischen Aufnahme und Vierzig Tafeln mit 100 Abbildungen nach Gemälden,
Zeichnungen und Radierungen, 1906?
Hans von Marées: Sein Leben und Sein Werk, 1909
Fritz Boehle, 1909
Noa Noa, 1912
Auguste Rodin die Kunst: Gespräche des Meisters, 1913
Handbuch der Kunstgeschichte, 1915
Hiob: Ein Drama, 1917
Genius: Zeitschrift für Werdende und Alte Kunst, 1919-1921
Archipenko-Album, 1921
Das Egon Schiele Buch, 1921
Neben der Heerstrasse, 1923
Umbra Vitae: Nachgelassene Gedichte, 1924
Dei Graphik Ernst Ludwig Kirchners bis 1924, 1924-1926
Kirchner-Zeichnungen: 100 Tafeln und Zahlreiche Holzschnitte im Text, 1925
Kommende Baukunst, 1926
Das Werk Ernst Ludwig Kirchners, 1926
E.L. Kirchner: German Expressionist: A Loan Exhibition, 1958
German Expressionism, Die Brücke: Paintings, Prints and Watercolors from the Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Ernst Fischer: University
of Virginia Art Museum, 1978
Conrad Felixmüller, 1897-1977: Prints and Drawings from the Collection of Dr. Ernst and Anne Fischer, 1979
The Passionate Collectors: Ludwig and Rosi Fischer and German Expressionism: Essays, 1985
German Expressionist Art: The Ludwig and Rosy Fischer Collection, 1987
Expressionismus und Exil: Die Sammlung Ludwig und Rosy Fischer, Frankfurt am Main, 1990
German Expressionist Art: Selections From The Ludwig And Rosy Fischer Collection, 1987
German Expressionist Art: Selections from the Fischer Collection, 2010
This series is comprised of correspondence about the ongoing search for the Fischer family archives as well as documentation
of the extensive gift of library books from Ernst and Anne's private library collection in 1995. In addition, there are DVD
copies of three oral history/interviews conducted with the Fischer family over the past 30 years: Anne Fischer with Fred Brandt,
February 2, 1986; Anne Fischer with Fred Brandt, October 7, 1994; George Fischer and Eva Fischer Marx with John Ravenal and
Sarah Eckhardt, June 5, 2013.
This series is comprised of copies of files from the records of Directors Paul Perrot (1984-1991) and Michael Brand (2000-2005)
related to the 1987 exhibition of the collection and later correspondence with Anne. Restricted documents from those files
were not copied. Permission from the Director or Archivist is required to view restricted documents.
This series is comprised of copies of files from the records of Assistant/Associate Curator Ashley Kistler (1987-1998) mainly
related to the 1987 exhibition of the collection. Other restricted files from the Collections Department (RG-03) were not
copied. Permission from the Director or Archivist is required to view restricted documents. Additional files related to the
Fischer collection are still held by the Collections Department and include information about appraisals, publication history,
1987 exhibition, 1994 interview, and correspondence with Hermann Simon. Permission from the Department is required to view
these documents.
This series is comprised of copies of files from the records of Affiliate Loans related to the 1987 exhibition of the collection.
Additional files related to the Fischer collection are still held by the Registration Department. Permission from the Department
is required to view these documents.
This series is comprised of copies of files from the records related to a declined invitation to Ernst Fischer to participate
as 1973 Collector of the Year, as well as events honoring Anne Fischer in connection with the 1987 exhibition.
This series is comprised of copies of files from the records of Curator/Curatorial Chair Frederick Brandt (1984-1996) related
to the 1987 exhibition of the collection. The original material is located at the Library of Virginia. Proofs of the catalog
and exhibition labels were not copied, as well as multiple copies of checklists. Other restricted files from the Exhibitions
Department (RG-23) were not copied. Permission from the Director or Archivist is required to view restricted documents.
![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/VMFA.jpg)