Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Preferred citation:

Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet 1 box; 34 files
Creator:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Abstract:
The collection was artifically created in order to bring together records about the Fischer collection residing in multiple collections in the VMFA Archives, as well as in the museum's records at the Library of Virginia. As such, the collection is entirely comprised of photocopies of records from the 1960s to the 2010s. To date, the museum has not located a collection of contemporaneous Fischer family records within its collections.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Records of the Fischer Collection (RG-31). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection's inclusive dates are 1967-2013, with the bulk of the material dating from 1985-1987. The collection is comprised of correspondence, memorandums, clippings, publicity, copies of photographs and slides and other ephemeral material.

Biographical / historical:

Ludwig and Rosy Fischer acquired examples of German Expressionism between 1905 and 1925 and their collection included works by artists who were key figures in the Die Brücke movement: Max Beckmann, Peter August Böckstiegel, Otto Dix, Conrad Felixmüeller, Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Emil Nolde. Die Brücke ("the Bridge") was a pivotal movement within German Expressionism, comprised of artists who responded subjectively to the changing world around them. Their style was defined by vivid colors, strong lines, and distorted forms—characteristics that have come to symbolize German Expressionism as a whole.

The Fischer's collection was divided evenly between their sons, and after Ernst and his wife, Anne, left Germany and settled in Richmond, Virginia, their half of the collection was preserved for more than 70 years in their home. In 2009, the Fischer Collection became the last refugee collection of German Expressionism to enter a U.S. museum when it was acquired by VMFA through a gift-purchase agreement with Ernst's widow, Anne Fischer.

Source: German Expressionist Work is Reunited with Ludwig and Rosy Fischer Collection at VMFA

Custodial history:

The collection was artificially created by the VMFA Archives in February 2016.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into seven series, and items are generally arranged chronologically within each series.

Series 1
History Files, 1986-2013
Series 2
Director's Files, 1984-2004
Series 3
Collections Files, 1985-1998, undated
Series 4
Registration Files, 1987-1989
Series 5
Marketing and Communications, 1995
Series 6
Collectors' Circle Files, 1987
Series 7
Exhibition Files, 1967-1987, undated