Notes on Franz Wickhoff’s School and Max Dvořák’s Italian Renaissance studies based on new archival materials

Abstract

The article deals with Franz Wickhoff´s influence on Max Dvořák´s formulation of his late method of art history today widely known as ‘Kunstgeschichte als Geistesgeschichte’. The article proposes a thesis that already in Wickhoff´s thinking an inclination toward the ‘geistesgeschichtliche’ interpretation of art history can be evident, as shown on a comparison between his and Dvořák´s interest in the Italian Renaissance art. The other way of Wickhoff´s influence on Dvořák´s art history is shown as grounded in their deep personal relationship that is documented in their mutual correspondence from the early 20th century, recently rediscovered in the Archive of the Institute of Art History of the Vienna University