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Patronage and European perspective in Brandenburg Prussia: the painter Etcher Johann Friedrich Wentzel (1670-1729)

Project description

Uncovering Berlin’s artistic past

Lost in the annals of history, a forgotten chapter emerges in Europe’s artistic narrative, posing a perplexing question: How did painting contribute to the birth of a visual language of absolutism under Prussia's first monarch, Frederick I? The canvas of Brandenburg Prussia, at its inception, lacked indigenous artists until the influx of immigrant masters fleeing France in 1685. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EuBrand project seamlessly blends historical exploration and augmented reality. By doing so, it spotlights the transformative impact of immigrant artists like Johann Friedrich Wentzel, who played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and cultural landscape of Berlin during the dawn of the nation-state.

Objective

EuBrand sheds light on a forgotten chapter of Europe’s intellectual and artistic history based on the following research question: how did painting contribute to the creation of a visual language of absolutism during the reign of the first Prussian king Frederick I? EuBrand fosters research and innovation by combining historical enquiry and augmented reality technology. At the very beginning of its life as a Nation State, Brandenburg Prussia, and Berlin in particular, experienced the afflux of immigrants artists and masters, fleeing France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (22 October 1685). Their presence in Berlin would change forever the city from a productive, social, artistic and aesthetic point of view. Brandenburg had never had before inborn artists. The first ones become visible only after the Huguenots' migration. One of them is the first Berlin-born painter and etcher Johann Friedrich Wentzel (1670-1729), whom Frederick I King in Prussia commissioned the monumental ceiling frescos of the newly transformed Berlin Castle. EuBrand emphasizes the importance of migration and movements of people across Europe in the creation of an iconography of absolutism functional to Frederick’s dynastic project. Wentzel’s personal and artistic trajectory is exemplary in this respect. His activity at the castle will provide the basis for an innovative app for visitors of the newly inaugurated Humboldt Forum, highlighting the forgotten layers of Brandenburg’s history behind one of the major landmark of today’s Berlin. EuBrand speaks in a timely way to the ongoing debate on the restitution of the Berlin’s castle, allowing a better understanding of the site. It contributes to the denationalization of German historiography and meets the need for accessibility and engaging story-telling in cultural heritage by exploiting the potential of the digital transition for research and curatorial purposes.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAET POTSDAM
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 173 847,36
Address
AM NEUEN PALAIS 10
14469 Potsdam
Germany

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Region
Brandenburg Brandenburg Potsdam
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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