Darja Jesse: »a unifying bond of spirit between all Germans«. New and old legitimization strategies for the Germanisches Nationalmuseum after the Second World War (DE)
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg was founded in 1852 on the initiative of the lawyer and collector Hans von und zu Aufseß (1801-1872) as a public foundation. The purpose defined by Aufseß was ambitious; with its collections of German history, literature and art, the museum was to preserve the »property of the German nation«.
In later periods of the museum’s history, the collection and exhibition strategies were modified several times; the reference concept of »nation« also underwent new interpretations in changing political systems. However, the founding phase of the museum became a constant reference and source of legitimacy in statements concerning its objectives. Thus in the period after the Second World War – between the end of the war and the 100th anniversary of the museum in 1952 – which I will examine more closely in my lecture.
What could it mean for the actors involved in this historical context to claim that the museum represented the »property of the German nation«? What was the adequate framework for the concepts »Germanisch« and »National«? The lecture will elaborate the old and new legitimization strategies for the museum along these questions and thus offer initial insights into the research project on the role of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in politics and society, which was initiated in January 2025.
TU Berlin
Str. des 17. Juni 152
Raum 815, Architekturgebäude
Beginn: 18.30