Wagner's Little Stage-Models: The Conservation of Historical Models of Stage Designs from the Richard-Wagner-Museum in Bayreuth
The Richard-Wagner-Museum in Bayreuth owns one of the most important German collections of models of historical stage designs. Most of the 87 models were produced between 1886 and 1912. The majority come from the Coburg studio for theatre decorations of the Brückner brothers, which was the most important one in Europe at that time. The models produced for the Bayreuth Festival record the development of the historical and naturalistic aspects of stage design and the impressionistic space and stylised stage designs of the 19th century. Unfortunately, no conservation work was undertaken for many years and the models were thus in a very poor state of preservation. Paper and cardboard as the main materials used in the models show climatic damage, in particular. Nearly every part of the models was deformed and cracked. Large-scale mould staining and damage due to gnawing and nibbling were also apparent. All in all, the stage design models could no longer be presented because the materials of the collection were in a precarious condition. This prompted an extensive conservation project that started in 1999. It is supervised and sponsored by the State Office for Non-State Museums in Bavaria. The exhibition shows some pieces as examples and explains the necessary conservation steps.
01.09. – 22.09.06 I MON to FRI 10.00 – 16.00, SAT and SUN 14.00 – 17.00
Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen in Bayern, Alter Hof 2,
80331 München, see site map 12
