Catalogue for the 25th Exhibition of the Hagenbund. An Exhibition in Celebration of the Emperor. Hagenbund — Mánes — Sztuka, 1908

When he became a member of the Hagenbund in 1909, Rudolf Junk (1880–1943) succeeded Joseph Urban (1872–1933), one of the artists’ association most important founding members, as the cover designer of the Hagenbund’s exhibition catalogues. While the designs of his predecessor had been characterized by softly flowing lettering and decorative elements, Junk oriented himself on the floral design vocabulary of the English Arts and Crafts movement and the Wiener Werkstätte. The 1907 and 1908 catalogues are examples of a design filling almost the entire cover with stylized leaf and flower ornaments. Junk is considered the first designer who signed his catalogue covers. The multiple reproductions of his designs are indicative of Junk’s influence and the recognition he enjoyed among his colleagues.

MN, 2024