STUTTGART.- For the current presentation, 140 prints and drawings by 21 artists were selected from the approximately 2,600 works on paper comprised by the two endowments, and combined with paintings and sculptures from the museum’s holdings representing »artistic concepts of the 1960s to the 1980s«. This perspective on the collection’s assets once again exemplifies the high standards as well as the diversity a museum like the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart can offer.

A foundation active since 1986, the “Konrad Kohlhammer-Stiftung” concentrates primarily on international printmaking of the mid-twentieth century onwards. Particularly Konrad Kohlhammer’s acquisitions in the area of American art have contributed decisively to shaping the international status of the Department of Prints, Drawings and Photographs.

Renate Hauff presented the bequest entitled “Vermächtnis Günther und Renate Hauff” in 2003. The Hauff collection focuses on the etching technique and comprises all facets of modernist art movements up to and including the 1980s. Some 800 etchings have been placed into the worthy hands of the “Freunde der Staatsgalerie Stuttgart” – and thus into the holdings of the Department of Prints, Drawings and Photographs as loans - by the “Vermächtnis Günther und Renate Hauff”, as have, to date, more than 1,800 prints in a wide range of techniques, as well as a number of drawings, by the “Konrad Kohl-hammer-Stiftung”.

The donors’ special dedication to the Staatsgalerie’s Department of Prints, Drawings and Photographs arises not least of all from the fact that, on the one hand, they dealt with paper – in the broadest sense – professionally, and on the other hand conceived of art as an integral part of their corporate culture: Günther and Renate Hauff headed the Georg Thieme Verlag specializing in medical science publications, and were also active on the managing board of the “Freunde der Staatsgalerie Stuttgart”. Konrad Kohlhammer stood for the Konradin Mediengruppe, an authority in the area of specialist media such as journals related to different scientific fields.

Renate Hauff died in the autumn of 2010, Konrad Kohlhammer in the spring of 2011. Admirers of art who have collected it selflessly and with great dedication, not only for themselves but also for the public, have entrusted their treasures to the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. The purpose of the exhibition and accompanying catalogue is to pay homage to these very special patrons.

In view of the limitations on public museums’ acquisition budgets, however, the support of donors and patrons is more essential than ever for ensuring the collection’s continuation into the future, in keeping with the motto with which Robin Page addressed his transport crate – To the Museum of Modern Dreams – and the hope of making those dreams come true.