The MHK Clock.
by Caspar Hoffman.
Augsburg.
Hessen Kassel Museum.
Caspar
Hoffmann.
c. 1680.
Dimensions: 140 x
82 x 60 cms.
The magnificent Augsburg clock was a focal point in the
clock room of the Kunsthaus, which Landgrave Carl furnished from 1696. The
councilors Uffenbach from Frankfurt mention it in their description of a visit
in 1709: "In the middle stood on one foot a very large artificial
clockwork, like a pyramid, on which many things could be seen." Next to
the time and the date was the clock decorated with moving figures. Four putti,
a figure of Mercury and a nest full of eagles could turn on themselves. On the
railing of the top floor, a ball seemed to run endlessly in circles and a
musical mechanism is hidden in the body of the bottom floor. The watch could
play four different, dance-song-like melodies. How the clock ended up in Carl's
collection is unclear,The only thing that can be ruled out with certainty is
commissioned work. These were usually equipped with Carl's lettering or an
image program related to his usual allegorical depictions of Minerva and
Hercules. However, neither is the case here. It remains unclear whether it was
a diplomatic gift or a targeted purchase.
.........................
Literature:
Karsten Gaulke, Antje Scherner: The Augsburg magnificent
clock. A masterpiece full of puzzles. Munich Kassel 2007.
Kowalski, Christine: The Augsburg magnificent cabinets with
clock by Heinrich Eichler d.Ä. (1637-1719) and his workshop. Berlin 2011, p.
65.
Bungarten, Gisela (ed.): Think big! made big? Landgrave Carl
in Hesse and Europe. exhibition catalogue. Kassel, Museumslandschaft Hessen
Kassel. Petersberg 2018, p. 520, cat. no. X.111.
http://datenbank.museum-kassel.de/226695/
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