Ferdinand Nigg and his Students. The Magdeburg Years, 1903–1912

In 1903 Ferdinand Nigg (1865–1949) was appointed professor for book ornamentation, bookbinding, and textile works at the Magdeburg School of Applied Arts and Crafts. His experimental method of instruction which focused on material veracity was considered to be exemplary and contributed significantly to the progressive reputation and the reformist spirit of the school. This exhibition, developed by the Forum Gestaltung Magdeburg (Norbert Eisold, curator), presents Nigg´s artistic work from the years in Magdeburg (1903–1912). These years reflect the awakening of modernity. They are especially important since Nigg, in search of new, clear and independent forms of expression, discovered an early and autonomous form of abstraction which moved between painting and the applied arts.

The exhibition presents paintings and graphic works, textile works such as tapestries as well as textiles for interiors, and book bindings, including graphic designs – the whole breadth of Nigg´s artistic work. The exhibition emphasizes Nigg´s influence on his students, to whom he was strongly committed throughout his life, and whose works are shown here for the first time. This exhibition shows that Nigg, who kept his own artistic production from 1910 on removed as far as possible from the public, was not only Liechtenstein´s most important artist of the twentieth century, but that his work can be counted among the significant artistic achievements of European modernity.  

A catalog with an essay by Norbert Eisold and color illustrations of all exhibited works will be published on the occasion of the exhibition, edited by Forum Gestaltung Magdeburg.

More pictures to this exhibition

  • Ferdinand Nigg and  His Students
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Ferdinand Nigg and  His Students
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Ferdinand Nigg and  His Students
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Ferdinand Nigg and  His Students
    Exhibition view Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography, Zürich © Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein