Josef Hoffmann retrospective at MAK Vienna explores the architect's total design legacy

The MAK in Vienna presents 'Josef Hoffmann. Fortschritt durch Schönheit', a major retrospective dedicated to the Austrian architect and designer (1870-1956), delayed from his 150th birthday due to the pandemic. The exhibition assembles an unprecedented collection of original materials and documentation, examining Hoffmann's role as a pioneer of Jugendstil and initiator of Art Déco, his perfectionist pursuit of the Gesamtkunstwerk, and his enduring influence. Hoffmann co-founded the Wiener Werkstätte in 1903 with Koloman Moser, promoting artistic craftsmanship against industrial design. His career includes iconic projects such as the Purkersdorf Sanatorium (1904-06), the Palais Stoclet in Brussels (1905-11), and the Austria Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (1934). The show also addresses his controversial acceptance of commissions under the Nazi regime, including the 1940 Haus der Wehrmacht in Vienna. The exhibition runs until June 19, 2022.