Claus Hansmann

Biography

Publicity, posters, logos, photography, set designs, book designs. Born 1918 in Munich. 1932-5: when only 14, studied at the Meisterschule für Deutschlands Buchdrucker (Master School for German Printers) under Eduard Ege. 1938-9: returned to the Meisterschule to study with Ege.

1939-45: military service, first in France, then as wireless operator on the East Front; he chronicled his experiences with his notebooks and camera. In the summer of 1942 he was hospitalised; during this period in hospital most of his unit was wiped out. He later wrote of his war experience: ‘Ich habe daran teilgenommen, aber nicht teilgehabt.’ (I took part in it without being part of it.)

From 1945: freelance. From 1950: committee member of BDG. For the theatre he designed sets and lighting. Used his photography for industrial clients including Opel and Elektrola, and for his many splendidly-designed books about masks, puppets, etc. Indeed, his photography and design of many of these are as much an equal contribution as that of the author.

Writings by

  • Viel köstlich Wachsgebild (with Liselotte Hansmann), Munich: Bruckmann, 1959
  • Masken, Schemen, Larven, Munich: Bruckmann, 1959
  • Puppen aus aller Welt, Munich: Bruckmann, 1959
  • Altötting (with Wilhelm Döderlein), Munich: Bruckmann, 1960
  • Calvaires (with Liselotte Hansmann), Munich: Schloendorn, 1962
  • Schattenspiel aus Szetschuan, Munich: Ehrenwirth, 1964
  • Amulett und Talisman (Liselotte Hansmann and Lenz Kriss-Rettenbeck), Munich: Callwey, 1966
  • Das grosse Puppenbuch (with Manfred Bachmann), Leipzig: Edition Leipzig, 1971
  • Weihnachtskrippen im Bayerischen Nationalmuseum, Munich, 1972
  • radio interview (with Peter Lange): www.dradio.de/cgi-bin/es/neu-juni41/9.html

Writings about

  • Wolfgang Petzet, ‘Claus Hansmann’, Graphik, 1951, pp. 244-9
    • ‘HK’, ‘Die Sparwerbung von heute verhilft dazu’, Graphik, 1954, 1, pp. 20-27, esp. pp. 24, 25
  • Vollmer, 1955
  • Franz Roh, ‘Claus Hansmann’, Gebrauchsgraphik (International Advertising Art), Berlin: Phönix Illustrationsdruck und Verlag GmbH (later: ‘Gebrauchsgraphik’ Druck und Verlag GmbH), 1933-71. Published from Munich from 1950., March 1950, pp. 48-56
  • Walter Foitzick, ‘Munich Carnival festivities’, Gebrauchsgraphik (International Advertising Art), Berlin: Phönix Illustrationsdruck und Verlag GmbH (later: ‘Gebrauchsgraphik’ Druck und Verlag GmbH), 1933-71. Published from Munich from 1950., April 1953, pp. 10-19, esp. p. 16
  • note on books edited/designed by CH, Gebrauchsgraphik (International Advertising Art), Berlin: Phönix Illustrationsdruck und Verlag GmbH (later: ‘Gebrauchsgraphik’ Druck und Verlag GmbH), 1933-71. Published from Munich from 1950., Feb. 1962, pp. 62, 64
  • brief biography, Gebrauchsgraphik (International Advertising Art), Berlin: Phönix Illustrationsdruck und Verlag GmbH (later: ‘Gebrauchsgraphik’ Druck und Verlag GmbH), 1933-71. Published from Munich from 1950., Jan. 1953, p. 57
  • Eberhard Hölscher, ‘Pharmaceutical prospectuses by Claus Hansmann’, Gebrauchsgraphik (International Advertising Art), Berlin: Phönix Illustrationsdruck und Verlag GmbH (later: ‘Gebrauchsgraphik’ Druck und Verlag GmbH), 1933-71. Published from Munich from 1950., Feb. 1955, pp. 2-7
  • Michael Vogl, ‘Crisp advertising art’ (window displays), Gebrauchsgraphik (International Advertising Art), Berlin: Phönix Illustrationsdruck und Verlag GmbH (later: ‘Gebrauchsgraphik’ Druck und Verlag GmbH), 1933-71. Published from Munich from 1950., Dec. 1963, pp. 36-9.

Exhibitions

  • Villa Hauck, Dresden, 1950 (group).