Model: „Bauern-Häuser und volksthümliche Malerei im bayerischen Hochland“

In accordance with the "Heimatschutz" (protection of local history and traditions) idea, which was also determined by the fear of the disappearance of local culture, Zell records rural material culture with a sketchbook and camera.

His first book on the subject of folk art and folklore in the sense of the Heimatschutz movement was the richly illustrated work "Bauern-Häuser und volksthümliche Hausmalerei im Bayerischen Hochland" (Peasant houses and folk painting in the Bavarian Highlands) from 1899/1900. Zell is one of the first to show fresco or "Lüftl" paintings on Upper Bavarian house façades.

On 30 plates, he presents richly painted houses from the Werdenfelser Land, from Oberammergau and Unterammergau, Weilheim and the Inntal all the way to Ruhpolding in the Chiemgau Alps. The house paintings depicted are mainly from the 18th century and some from the first decade of the 19th century.

With this work, Zell wants to "offer relevant experts a study material for the national design of modern country houses and villas." In his introductory text, Zell does not hold back in his opinion or clichéd descriptions: "It was the colourful art of Rococo that particularly appealed to the sensual, strong, colourful nature of the mountain people, and that is why this lush art became really popular among the rural folk".

The place, house name and artist are named, and the motif, depiction and reference notes are described in the table of contents. Zell shows overall and detailed views that give the illustrated book the desired model character.

Michaela Thomas