Georg Dehio

Georg Dehio: A Pioneering Art Historian

Georg Gottfried Julius Dehio (1850-1932) was a prominent Baltic German art historian who left a lasting legacy in the field. Here's a closer look at his life and achievements:

Early Life and Education (1850-1877):

• Born on November 22, 1850, in Reval (present-day Tallinn, Estonia) [Wikipedia].
• Initially studied history at the University of Dorpat (Tartu) [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• Continued his studies at the University of Göttingen under the renowned historian Georg Waitz [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• Earned his doctorate in Munich in 1872, focusing on Archbishop Hartwig von Stade [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• His interest in art history blossomed after a trip to Italy in 1876-77 [Dictionary of Art Historians].

Academic Career (1877-1932):

• Habilitation (qualification for professorship) granted in 1877 at the University of Munich, focusing on the history of the Archbishopric of Hamburg-Bremen [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• Became an assistant professor of art history at the University of Königsberg (present-day Kaliningrad) in 1883 [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• Later promoted to full professor at Königsberg [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• In 1892, he succeeded Hubert Janitschek as the head of the Strassburger Institute, connected to the Christian Archaeology Institute [Dictionary of Art Historians].

Groundbreaking Contribution: The "Handbuch der deutschen Kunstgeschichte" (Handbook of German Art History):

• Dehio's most significant achievement is the initiation of the "Handbuch der deutschen Kunstgeschichte" in 1900 [Wikipedia].
• This ongoing project is a comprehensive reference guide on German art history, published by Ernst Wasmuth [Wikipedia].
• The project is currently managed by the 'Dehio-Vereinigung' in Munich [Wikipedia].

Recognition and Honors:

• Dehio received numerous accolades for his contributions to art history:
  • Pour le Mérite order ("Pour le Mérite für Wissenschaften und Künste") [Wikipedia].
  • Eagle Shield of the German Empire (Adlerschild des Deutschen Reiches) [Wikipedia].
  • Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art [Wikipedia].
  • Honorary doctor titles from universities in Göttingen, Tübingen, Frankfurt (Main), and Darmstadt [Wikipedia].
• The Georg Dehio Prize (Georg Dehio Book Prize) is named after him [Wikipedia].

Legacy:

• Dehio's work played a crucial role in establishing the systematic study of German art history [Dictionary of Art Historians].
• The "Handbuch der deutschen Kunstgeschichte" remains a fundamental resource for art historians and anyone interested in German artistic heritage [Wikipedia].

Further Research:

• You can explore Dehio's specific writings and contributions to the "Handbuch" for a deeper understanding of his expertise.
• Researching the historical context of German art history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries can provide additional insight into Dehio's work.