FAQ

Furniture and artworks collected by Heartfield, including an extensive collection of ceramics, are also to be found in the art collection of the Akademie der Künste. You can find an overview here. If you have any questions about individual objects, please contact us.

The catalogue offers a representative overview of John Heartfield's work featuring objects from every era, including all original montages, book covers and pages from AIZ – Arbeiter Illustrierte Zeitung, which are in the possession of the art collection of the Akademie der Künste.

The art collection welcomes interested visitors. Please contact us in advance to arrange an appointment. We will be happy to let you see the originals at our study hall in Berlin Mitte.

Contact

Akademie der Künste
Kunstsammlung
Luisenstraße 60
10117 Berlin
Germany
T +49(0)30-200 57-40 00
F +49(0)30-200 57-40 33
kunstsammlung@adk.de

 

"Advanced Search": You can enter search terms here and begin a related search using and, or and not. The text you enter in the search field is automatically completed with terms that are actually contained in the catalogue.

"Timeline Search": The timeline provides the option of looking at individual periods of John Heartfield's work in greater detail. The timeline covers Heartfield's lifetime (1891-1968). The yellow "dots" below the timeline can be moved toward the middle to specify the period you wish to explore. All works created by Heartfield in the selected time period are shown graphically in the form of a line diagram. The colours correspond to a systematic classification of genres, according to which the results can be further filtered.
Example: You only want to view original montages from 1935 to 1940. Adjust the slider on the left of the bar to "1935" and on the right to "1940" and then click on all classifications except "Original Montages". "Original Montages" appears in red, all other classifications in grey. Then select "Display Results", and all (available) original montages created by Heartfield between 1935 and 1940 will be displayed as a list of results.

Please contact heartfield@adk.de to submit your order for an image. Alternatively, search for the desired image in the archival holdings catalogue and click on the contact icon (envelope) in the full view. The subject line automatically shows the inventory number of the work. State that you wish to order the digital reproduction of an image and the purpose. We will respond to your request as quickly as possible. Please note that all images are subject to copyright of the Heartfield Community of Heirs, VG-Bild-Kunst, Bonn. You can obtain a use permit from there. We can only send out digital reproductions after receiving the confirmation that permission for publication has been granted. An overview of the provision and use fees charged by the Akademie der Künste can be found here.

Please feel free to contact us. If it is a work from our archival holdings, we will make it available promptly.

No. The task of the archives of the Akademie der Künste is to preserve the entire estate under the best possible conditions. Therefore, we do not sell either unique or duplicate objects.

We look forward to all information and constructive criticism. Please write to us at heartfield@adk.de. If you have a specific comment on a certain work, open the work in the full view and click on the contact icon (envelope): The inventory number of the work (for the purpose of identification) automatically appears in the subject line. You can write your comments and information in the message section and send them to us.

The holdings of the John Heartfield estate are only added to very rarely and selectively. If you possess objects that, in your opinion, would be ideal additions to our inventory, please send us an e-mail at heartfield@adk.de.

"My Portfolio" allows you to put together, save and share your own collection of works. In order to use these options in the portfolio, you must log in using an e-mail address and password and consent to the Terms of Use according to the Privacy Statement. Your personal selection of works can be saved until your next visit and shared with others. You have the option of comparing two works or enlarging and rotating works on the light table: You can create several personal collections in folders and share these portfolios with others. Upon opening, a shared portfolio appears like a hit list after a search, individual objects or the entire list of results and can be transferred to "My Portfolio".

Due to the fragility of the works, each loan request is reviewed by our restorers. The Akademie der Künste only supports institutional borrowers with exhibition rooms that meet our requirements. Before your institution submits a loan request, please send us an e-mail.

Images from the digital inventory catalogue can only be shared using "My Portfolio".

There is also the option of sharing links to individual objects by e-mail, Facebook or Twitter.
Example: Enter the search term "Dog" and click on "Display Results": You will see multiple objects in a list of results – because John Heartfield was a great dog lover. Using the (Share) icon, you can select whether you want to share the link to your results by e-mail, Facebook or Twitter. After entering the address, the addressee receives a link sent by you. By clicking on this link, they are automatically forwarded to the "Heartfield Online" site, where the images can be viewed.

If you only want to share a single image, click on the selected object, which then appears in a full view. The icon for sharing the link via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter also appears here.

Further information can be found in the publications of the Select Bibliography compiled here. In addition to the graphic estate in the art collection of the Akademie der Künste, it is also worthwhile for Heartfield researchers and enthusiasts to look at the archival written documents of the estate in the John Heartfield Archive of the Visual Arts Archive of the Akademie. We also recommend a visit to the John Heartfield House in Waldsieversdorf, which the artist used as a holiday home with his family. In addition to a permanent exhibition on Heartfield's book designs for Malik Verlag, the house also offers a varied programme and regular guided tours.

No, "Heartfield Online" is dedicated exclusively to Heartfield’s art works. However, the Akademie der Künste also holds documents and photographs belonging to John Heartfield himself and to many of his colleagues, friends and acquaintances. Most of these are kept in the Visual Arts Archive. An overview of the archive holdings can be found here. Please arrange an appointment prior to your visit to view the originals at the central reading room and contact the visitor services.