With the exhibition WERKSTÄTTE HAGENAUER: Viennese Metal Art 1898–1987 the MAK brings one of the most successful metal art workshops in Vienna at the beginning of the 20th century to the public. During its almost 90-year existence, the family-owned company combined the development of Austrian arts and crafts in its products. Selected objects in the exhibition—starting with the “Viennese Bronzes” of Historicism through Art Nouveau and the Wiener Werkstätte to Functionalism—describe the stylistic change of artistic objects of use and decorative objects. In addition, documentation material from the company as well as semi-finished products, blanks, and printing blocks that illustrate the manufacturing process of the handicrafts are presented. The exhibition is based on parts of the company’s archive, which came to the MAK through purchases and generous donations from Richard Grubman, the Auction house im Kinsky, and in particular from Caja Hagenauer, the daughter of Franz Hagenauer, and are kept here in the archive of the same name.
