Legend of the Artist. A Historical Experiment.

The thematically unique book of the internationally renowned representatives of the Vienna school of art history Ernst Kris (1900-1957) and Otto Kurz (1908-1975) was published in 1934. Already at that time, it took on the aim of discussing certain biographical clichés, themes and strategies which advance or encourage the so-called legend of the artist. On examples from history it shows the typical motifs which repeat with little or no modifications in many biographies. It does not fail to pay attention to the psychological or sociological perspective. With great sensitivity and innovative approach the authors take notice of seemingly marginal areas; based on the analysis of the artists’ life they accurately analyze the legend that is created around them, finding connections and correspondences with mythology and hagiography. In the biographical literature life stories used to be presented in a way that magnified the legend. Unlike in objective interpretation, mystery plays a role here, and imagination is stimulated... The translation of Ernst Kris and Otto Kurz’s scientific text of high literary quality is accompanied by an insightful essay by the Czech editors who have come up with interesting information on the background of the authors and also update the current topic with examples from modern art history.