Founding documents

Figure 1:First proceeding of the general meeting of artists and friends of the arts in Munich to discuss the founding of an art association

November 26, 1823

The official founding phase of the Kunstverein began with its inaugural meeting on November 26, 1823, which took place in the private flat of the state council lithographer Raphael Wintter. This was preceded by an informal meeting between Joseph Stieler, leading court portraitist, Peter Heß, also a court painter, Domenico Quaglio, landscape and architectural painter, and the architect Friedrich Gärtner, during which these four founders of the association decided to establish the Kunstverein. During the formal founding meeting on November 26, forty-two artists and so-called “friends of the arts” were present. The proceedings of the meeting describe the atmosphere as follows: “The vibrant feeling of a long-desired close union of all artists and friends of the arts of the royal city of Bavaria brought together these like-minded people signed in the original enclosure for a closer consultation of the means to bring this association into being. This first meeting gave the most beautiful proof of an association long in the making, for the sake of a solemn flourishing of art, and warranted the most beautiful hopes for a friendly future, and the blessed fruits of harmony, whose bright wreath singly pays homage to the glory of the most highly celebrated protector of patriotic art, our sublime King.”

Figure 2: Restricted authorization for the founding of the Kunstverein by King Maximilian I Joseph

December 31, 1823

The request for authorization was submitted to King Maximilian I Joseph on December 13, 1823, who gave his approval on December 31, albeit in restricted form, referring to the existing Academy of Fine Arts as a meeting place for artists and friends of the arts:

M. J. K.

We have inspected the plan submitted to Us by means
of the enclosed presentation dated December 13 of this
year as well as the fundamentals of an association of
artists and friends of the arts, and, after considering all
circumstances, cannot grant our approval of the request
for permission to establish such an association in the
proposed extent and with the desiderated prerogatives,
since We have already given the artists and friends of
the arts a general place of assembly in the Academy of
Fine Arts, and in the provisions of article XXII XXIII
and XXX of its constitutional charter dated May 13,
1808, We have drafted the path to achieve the purpose
also envisaged by the association, and We also assure
due distinction for those who in this way help to promote
Our well-meaning intentions, in regard to which
We do not intend to exclude any worthy applicant’s
participation. Incidentally, We are not opposed to a
private
association of artists and friends of the arts,
both for their own security and to converse about
their opinions and views, as well as for the attainment
of social
advantages, with restriction to this city, in
exchange
for voluntary contributions or efforts from
the members of the association living here and under
the usual conditions, and We instruct our government
to grant the association, if it is formed in this manner,
the necessary protection equal to other approved private
societies, after inspection of its statutes. Accordingly,
the appropriate measures are to be taken.

Munich, December 31, 1823

Max Joseph.