The Arts and Crafts of our Teutonic Forefathers
Item
Title
The Arts and Crafts of our Teutonic Forefathers
Creator
G. Baldwin Brown
Date
1911
Description
Although the "The Arts and Crafts of Our Teutonic Forefathers," was listed in the books received column of The Craftsman in April 1912, there is no further review or mention of the title that has been located. It is tempting to think that because of his heritage, Stickley was drawn to German subjects, and–even in the fragmentary remains of the library–there is some support for this idea. Titles like this one, his copy of Faust, and a biography of Wagner seem to point comfortably in this direction. Yet, it is equally possible that publishers–seeing his name–felt that they could achieve a favorable audience with him on these topics and simply sent along the most obviously German titles they had on hand. There is, at this point, simply not enough information to make anything beyond a speculative suggestion.
While Stickley may have had a strong sense of ethnic pride, this did not translate into an uncritical love for all things German. Reviewing the "Studio Year Book for 1912" in The Craftsman, readers were treated to an unvarnished appraisal of Secessionist architecture:
It is rather depressing, in a way, to feel how permanent and durable these very unbeautiful structures are, for the workmanship is excellent, the hygienic detail almost perfection, and regarded as homes they are unlivable and inherently inartistic.
Instead, the magazine favored the "Teutonic love of children and small furred and feather things" seen in the small porcelain figures on the following pages, calling these "a charming realization" that displayed "a delightful sense of humor."
While Stickley may have had a strong sense of ethnic pride, this did not translate into an uncritical love for all things German. Reviewing the "Studio Year Book for 1912" in The Craftsman, readers were treated to an unvarnished appraisal of Secessionist architecture:
It is rather depressing, in a way, to feel how permanent and durable these very unbeautiful structures are, for the workmanship is excellent, the hygienic detail almost perfection, and regarded as homes they are unlivable and inherently inartistic.
Instead, the magazine favored the "Teutonic love of children and small furred and feather things" seen in the small porcelain figures on the following pages, calling these "a charming realization" that displayed "a delightful sense of humor."