Modernism after Wagner

Richard Wagner's influence on European modernism, particularly through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk (a comprehensive artwork), is explored in Juliet Koss’s 'Modernism after Wagner.' The study reveals that Wagner's ideas significantly shaped artistic practices and discourses among diverse figures, from renowned architect Peter Behrens to lesser-known critic Georg Fuchs, spanning approximately 40 years post-Wagner's death. Koss’s work analyzes a series of 'episodes' in German aesthetic discourse and practice, including the founding of the Darmstadt Artists’ Colony, early cinema, advertising, and the Bayreuth Festival, among others. While some chapters are previously published and strong, others, particularly those focusing on Wagner and Nietzsche, are weaker. The study provides valuable insights into how Wagner's legacy influenced various artistic movements, though its coherence as a whole is debated.

Applegate, C. (2011). Modernism after Wagner. German History, 30(1), 142–143. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerhis/ghr083