„Volkskunst im Allgäu“ catalogue

The exhibition on "Volkskunst und Heimatkunde" initiated in 1901 by Gustav von Kahr (1862-1934), Christian Frank (1867-1942) and Franz Zell was so successful that a catalogue richly illustrated with colour lithographs was published.

Franz Zell published the catalogue between 1902 and 1903 with the title "Volkskunst im Allgäu, Original-Aufnahmen aus der Ausstellung für 'Volkskunst und Heimatkunde' in Kaufbeuren – September 1901" (Folk art in Allgäu, original photographs from the exhibition on 'Folk Art and Local History' in Kaufbeuren – September 1901). The elaborate documentation comprises 87 pages, with 86 text illustrations, 36 plates of the exhibits, some in colour, and a colour map of Upper and Lower Allgäu.

The catalogue’s cover page was designed by the painter, woodcut artist and graphic artist Rudolf Schiestl (1878-1931). It shows a rural couple in traditional Allgäu costume.

In the preface and introduction, the editor Franz Zell defines the selection criteria as well as the aim and background of the exhibition and the catalogue: "The best of the exhibits are to be documented in images, made accessible to wider circles and therefore, in particular, to offer our schools and artisans good examples and points of reference ...". (Volkskunst im Allgäu catalogue, p. III)

Zell arranged the exhibits into nine categories, each with a detailed text and illustrations: farmhouse parlour and furniture, spinning wheel, carvings, glasses, wax and wax sticks, farmhouse crockery, traditional costume and jewellery, miscellaneous – sledges and lighting, objects representing folk piety, such as amulets & relics.

Michaela Thomas