VMFA_EAD_RG31Fischer 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-31Record Group 31 (RG-31)Courtney Tkacz, VMFA Archivist; Finding aid encoded by Sylvio Lynch III, Archives Intern (2020)Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives
2016
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library200 N. Arthur Ashe BoulevardRichmond, VA 23220-4007Business Number: 804-340-1495library@vmfa.museumURL: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-05-01 07:02:09 -0400.Description is written in: English, Code for undetermined script script.Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ArchivesRecords of the Fischer Collection (RG-31)Virginia Museum of Fine ArtsRG-31/repositories/2/resources/2651.25 Linear Feet1 box; 34 files1967-2013The 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.English
. RG-31 Box 1
Historical Note
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 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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into seven series, and items are generally arranged chronologically within each series.
History Files, 1986-2013Director's Files, 1984-2004Collections Files, 1985-1998, undatedRegistration Files, 1987-1989Marketing and Communications, 1995Collectors' Circle Files, 1987Exhibition Files, 1967-1987, undated
Custodial History
The collection was artificially created by the VMFA Archives in February 2016.
Related Materials: VMFA Library - Rare Books
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, 1909Fritz Boehle, 1909Noa Noa, 1912Auguste Rodin die Kunst: Gespräche des Meisters, 1913Handbuch der Kunstgeschichte, 1915Hiob: Ein Drama, 1917Genius: Zeitschrift für Werdende und Alte Kunst, 1919-1921Archipenko-Album, 1921Das Egon Schiele Buch, 1921Neben der Heerstrasse, 1923Umbra Vitae: Nachgelassene Gedichte, 1924Dei Graphik Ernst Ludwig Kirchners bis 1924, 1924-1926 Kirchner-Zeichnungen: 100 Tafeln und Zahlreiche Holzschnitte im Text, 1925Kommende Baukunst, 1926Das Werk Ernst Ludwig Kirchners, 1926
Related Materials: VMFA Library - Catalogs
E.L. Kirchner: German Expressionist: A Loan Exhibition, 1958German Expressionism, Die Brücke: Paintings, Prints and Watercolors from the Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Ernst Fischer: University of Virginia Art Museum, 1978Conrad Felixmüller, 1897-1977: Prints and Drawings from the Collection of Dr. Ernst and Anne Fischer, 1979The Passionate Collectors: Ludwig and Rosi Fischer and German Expressionism: Essays, 1985German Expressionist Art: The Ludwig and Rosy Fischer Collection, 1987Expressionismus und Exil: Die Sammlung Ludwig und Rosy Fischer, Frankfurt am Main, 1990
Related Materials: VMFA Library - Exhibition Files
German Expressionist Art: Selections From The Ludwig And Rosy Fischer Collection, 1987German Expressionist Art: Selections from the Fischer Collection, 2010
Related Materials: VMFA Library - Subject Files
VMFA Donors: Fischer FamilyVMFA Collections: Special Collections: Fischer, Ludwig and Rosy: German Expressionist Art
Related Materials: Virginia Holocaust Museum
Fischer Family Papers, 1900s-2009 (Record Group 23)
Related Materials: Leo Baeck Institute
Guide to the Papers of Anne Fischer, 1884-1982 (Coll. No. AR 10519/MF 992)
Related Materials: Library of Virginia
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Exhibition Files, 1986-1987 (Coll. No. 34679)Art, German -- 20th centuryExpressionism (Art) -- GermanyArt -- Private collections -- GermanyArt -- Private collections -- Virginia -- RichmondPrints -- Private collections -- Virginia -- RichmondFischer, Rosy, 1869-1926Fischer, Ludwig, 1860-1922Fischer, Anne, 1902-2008Fischer, Ernst, 1896-Simon, Hermann, 1900-1990Virginia Museum of Fine ArtsSeries 1: History FilesRG-31-01/repositories/2/archival_objects/450621986-2013EnglishScope and Contents
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.
Fischer Archives, 1989-2005RG31.01.0.001/repositories/2/archival_objects/450691989-2005EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 1RG31.01.0.001Fischer Gifts to Library, 1995RG31.01.0.002/repositories/2/archival_objects/450701995EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 2RG31.01.0.002Oral Histories/Interviews, 1986-2013RG31.01.0.003/repositories/2/archival_objects/450711986-2013EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 3RG31.01.0.003Whereabouts Unknown: Living an Artful Life in a Ruthless WorldRG31.01.0.004/repositories/2/archival_objects/717902009RG-31 Box 1RG31.01.0.004Series 2: Director's FilesRG-31-02/repositories/2/archival_objects/450631984-2004EnglishScope and Contents
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.
Ashley Kistler: German Expressionist Works from the Fischer Collection, 1985-1987RG31.03.0.001/repositories/2/archival_objects/450751985-1987EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 7RG31.03.0.001Ashley Kistler: Fischer Prints, 1985-1998RG31.03.0.002/repositories/2/archival_objects/450761985-1998EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 8RG31.03.0.002Ashley Kistler: Fischer SlidesRG31.03.0.003/repositories/2/archival_objects/45077undatedEnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 9RG31.03.0.003Series 4: Registration FilesRG-31-04/repositories/2/archival_objects/450651987-1989EnglishScope and Contents
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.
German Expressionist Art: Selections from the Ludwig and Rosy Fischer Collection, 1987-1989RG31.04.0.001/repositories/2/archival_objects/450781987-1989EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 10RG31.04.0.001Series 5: Communications and Marketing FilesRG-31-05/repositories/2/archival_objects/450661995EnglishScope and Contents
This series is comprised of copies of files from the records related to publicity about the donation of the collection.
Fischer Collection, 1995RG31.05.0.001/repositories/2/archival_objects/450791995EnglishRG-31 Box 1Folder 11RG31.05.0.001Series 6: Collectors' Circle FilesRG-31-06/repositories/2/archival_objects/450671972-1987EnglishScope and Contents
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.