The Moritzburg Art Museum in Halle (Saale) has opened a new exhibition showcasing the remarkable collection of Hans-Hasso von Veltheim (1885-1956), the former lord of Ostrau Castle. The presentation, titled "Fragments of a Life," is displayed in the museum's North Box and Tower Cabinet, offering visitors a first glimpse into the diverse and fascinating collection of this extraordinary collector.
Hans-Hasso von Veltheim was a man of wide-ranging interests who remains a captivating figure to this day. Beginning in the early 20th century, he assembled a diverse collection that included non-European art and cultural artifacts, works by Old Masters, and pieces from the contemporary avant-garde movement. He acquired these treasures during his extensive world travels, through art dealers, and directly from artists themselves.
Veltheim's life took a significant turn in 1927 when he inherited Ostrau Castle and estate, located north of Halle (Saale). This inheritance enabled him to create a unique refuge that housed not only his extensive collections but also a comprehensive library and archive. The castle became an open guesthouse for "numerous intellectuals, scientists, university professors, and artists of all nations and faiths," as Veltheim himself described it.
The collector's fortunes changed dramatically after World War II ended. During the land reforms implemented in the Soviet Occupation Zone, Hans-Hasso von Veltheim was dispossessed of his property. While he managed to flee to the western zones, portions of his art collection found their way to the Moritzburg Art Museum in Halle. In 2008, these works were restituted to his heirs, and since 2019, more than 700 pieces from this collection have been on permanent loan to the museum for research and educational purposes.
Following intensive study of the collector Hans-Hasso von Veltheim, the museum is now presenting a carefully selected group of works from his former collection for the first time, accompanied by a concise overview of the collection's formation. Due to the turbulent events of the 20th century, the collection's history is also one of loss, leaving many aspects fragmentary. The exhibition supplements these gaps with historical photographic material to provide context.
The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to discover unjustly little-known artists and become familiar with their works. Featured artists in the exhibition include Dietz Edzard (1893-1963), Cäcilie Graf-Pfaff (1862-1939), Wilhelm Heise (1892-1965), Karl Georg Hemmerich (1892-1979), Hedwig Kruse (1895-1991), Romauld (Rom) Landau (1899-1974), Walt Laurent (1898-1923), Elfriede Plaichinger-Coltelli (1883-1971), Richard Seewald (1889-1976), and Karl Thylmann (1888-1916).
One of the highlighted works in the exhibition is Richard Seewald's "Martigues II" from 1918, a colored woodcut on Japanese paper measuring 20.7 x 26.8 cm. This piece, part of the Cultural Foundation of Saxony-Anhalt collection at the Moritzburg Art Museum, represents the type of avant-garde work that Veltheim collected and exemplifies the artistic quality of his acquisitions.
