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Fig. 1:
View of the hall of frescoes
at the Stazione Zoologica
Anton Dohrn.
Fig. 2:
Desk in front of the
east wall of the hall
of frescoes with the
“La Pergola” fresco.
The Hall of Frescoes
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An unexpected treasure is hidden
above the aquarium and between
the labs, technical equipment and
offices at the Zoological Station
in Naples: the Hall of Frescos, a
room Anton Dohrn dedicated to
music and entertainment.
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Two German artists, Hans von
Marées, and sculptor and architect
Adolf von Hildebrand, decorated it
with a fresco cycle that plays a
unique role in the history of 19th
century art.
Hans von Marées (1837-1887)
was one of the most influential German
artists in the second half of the
19th century. He developed an idealistic
style of painting with clarity of
form focused on people. As a painter
he was attracted to the world of the
antiques. As an art theoretician, he
worked together with Adolf von
Hildebrand (1847-1921), the leading
sculptor of his time, on the theory of
pure visibility.
Following his studies and training
in Berlin (1853-1855) and Munich
(from 1857), and travels to Italy,
Spain and France (1864-1866),
Marées completed the frescoes in
Naples which represent a high point
of his work. They are the result of
his meeting with friends of Anton
Dohrn, with the world of the antiques
and the sunny life on the
Mediterranean.
Hilderbrand studied in Nuremburg
and Munich. In 1867 he accompanied
his teacher, von Zumbusch, to
Rome. From 1872 to 1897, he lived
in Florence and focused his work on
the sculpture of the Italian Renaissance.
With his marked tectonic
talent, he created fountains and
monuments.
Christiane Groeben, groeben@szn.it
www.szn.it
Innovation 15, Carl Zeiss AG, 2005
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