Le rôle des collections dans la légitimation de l'art marginal : le cas de la collection d'art pathologique Prinzhorn
Modern art began its rise at the beginning of the twentieth century in both France and Germany. Somme art theorists like Francastel, propose an identifying characteristic of modern art is the deconstruction of the classic plastic space. During the two World Wars, many artists used this deconstructive process, thus reinvigorating art with ‘‘primitive’’ styles which challenged the ‘‘civilized’’ art of the day. This fascination with the ‘‘primitive’’, including art from children, amateurs, and the ‘‘mentally ill’’, is apparent in many art collections of the time. By collecting these forms of art, the collectors were supporting this new ideology in opposition to occidental rationalism. The psychiatrist Hans Prinzhorn, along with the art sellers Wilhelm Udhe and the artists Andre Breton, Jean Dubuffet and Arnulf Rainer, are a few of the notable collectors. They each influenced the progress of Modern Art; the impact of which is now evident in contemporary art. The individuality of their unique collections offers different interpretations of the marginalized ‘‘outsider art’’. By analyzing the terminologies employed by these collectors, particularly in regards to ‘‘pathological art’’, we may outline a portrait of the development of ‘‘outsider art’’ as it progressed along side modern art.
modern art outsider art collectors France and Germany Twentieth century