Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet 1 box; 34 files
Creator:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Abstract:
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.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

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 publicity about the donation of the collection.

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Source: German Expressionist Work is Reunited with Ludwig and Rosy Fischer Collection at VMFA

Custodial history:

The collection was artificially created by the VMFA Archives in February 2016.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into seven series, and items are generally arranged chronologically within each series.

Series 1
History Files, 1986-2013
Series 2
Director's Files, 1984-2004
Series 3
Collections Files, 1985-1998, undated
Series 4
Registration Files, 1987-1989
Series 5
Marketing and Communications, 1995
Series 6
Collectors' Circle Files, 1987
Series 7
Exhibition Files, 1967-1987, undated