Klaus Berger and André Gence, 1972-1995

Klaus Berger and André Gence

Primarily correspondence from Klaus Berger, with two letters from André Gence.

Bela Petheo explains their significance:

"Kl. Berger, Distinguished Univ Prof at the U. of Kansas. Originally a German art historian was an internationally recognized art historian who wrote 'the' basic book on Japonaise Art and its influence on Western art (Japonismus in der westlichen Malerei, 1860-1920) (English translation available) He lectured at SJU, also our correspondence is very revealing in several respects.

A. Gence a very spiritual Cath. painter came to SJU via St. Kate's. Our Permanent Collection has a fine work by him."

Letter from Klaus Berger, January 4, 1995. Pleased to have seen Bela Petheo in person.

Letter from Klaus Berger, November 28, 1992. Would like to see Choice review. Concerned about political upheaval in Europe.

Letter from Klaus Berger, July 31, 1992. Thanks for note on Japonisme symposium. Discusses art critics and the state of art history.

Letter from Klaus Berger, January 24, 1989. Addressed to Mr. Bela Petheo, Cardinal. Recognition by Rudolf Arnheim. Parisian art scene.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, September 6, 1983. At informal art conference in Vienna.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, April 12, 1983. Has been lecturing on German art, now relaxing in California.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, October 30, 1982. Enjoying autumn in Venice.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, April 11, 1982. Easter greetings from Rome. In German.

Letter to Klaus Berger. Undated. March, 1982? Has located Donald Kuspit's article. Agrees Neo-expressionism is a sham.

Postcard to Donald Kuspit, March 10, 1982. Agrees with Kuspit's article in Art Forum about Neo-Expressionism. Photocopy.

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 10, 1982. An article by Donald Kuspit in the November 1981 Art Forum quotes Berger in a sympathetic way. Might Bela Petheo be able to explain what the critics on both sides are trying to say?

Letter from Klaus Berger, January 24, 1982. Too much art is guided by profit motive rather than Catholic values.

Letter to Klaus Berger, December 30, 1981. Report on Bela Petheo's New York show. The gallery's assistant director would not allow a wide variety of styles or subjects to be shown.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, December 17, 1981. No postage. Depicts Venice hotel where Petheo had previously stayed. Berger asks whether Bela Petheo doesn't wish to visit Italy, and wishes his family a merry Christmas.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, October 18, 1981. Attending exhibition in Venice.

Letter from Klaus Berger, August 23, 1981. What is Bela Petheo's impression of the current state of the art world in America?

Letter from Klaus Berger, August 1, 1981. Thanks for "transcript" of letter. Quality of art has declined in last 40 years.

Letter to Klaus Berger, July 15, 1981. Bela Petheo apologizes for his handwriting and tries to clarify parts of his earlier letter. Petheo's manner of being an artist is not in fashion in the United States. Is taped together.

Letter from Klaus Berger, July 7, 1981. Unfamiliar with some names mentioned by Bela Petheo in response to Berger's book Japonismus.

Letter from Klaus Berger, June 16, 1981. Hanson's book Manet and the modern tradition, thanks for thoughtful commentary on Japonismus, interesting art exhibitions in Europe.

Letter to Klaus Berger, May 29, 1981. Bela Petheo's evaluation of Berger's book Japonismus. Had been taped together; tape has fallen off.

Postcard from Klaus Berger to Mr. and Mrs. Bela Petheo, April 13, 1981. Berger had delivered some lectures in the southern U.S.

Letter from Klaus Berger, March 17, 1981. Will be sending a copy of book Japonismus, and would be interested in Bela Petheo's thoughts on it.

Postcard from Klaus Berger to Prof. and Mrs. Bela Petheo, April 4, 1980. Enjoying Venice.

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 29, 1980. He is glad for Bela Petheo's success, and his own book on Japanese art has been published.

Letter from Klaus Berger, September 23, 1979. Wishes that he could visit personally. Did Arnheim lecture at St. John's? Academic titles and honors.

Letter from Klaus Berger, July 28, 1979. Regrets not being able to meet when Petheo was in Europe.

Letter from Klaus Berger, June 16, 1979. Would like to visit while Bela Petheo is in Venice. Hotel recommendations.

Letter from Klaus Berger, April 6, 1979. Possible trip to United States, recent show by Bela Petheo, waning influence of Socialist Realism in Germany.

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 7, 1979. Suggestions of people to whom Bela Petheo's exhibition poster should be sent.

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 4, 1977. Received Minneapolis catalogue. Tells joke in German about portraiture. Ponders the problem of turning artistic value into commercial advantage.

Letter from Klaus Berger, December 4, 1976. Praises Bela Petheo's Duluth pictures, reports on his visit to America. Asks whether there might be postcard views of the St. John's library, church interior, or the "religious center" they visited.

Postcard from Klaus Berger to Mr. and Mrs. Bela Petheo, October 16, 1976. Thanks for hospitality.

Art Professor to Discuss Limits of Art at St. John's. News release by Thom Woodward, September 30, 1976. About a presentation by Klaus Berger.

Letter from Klaus Berger, March 23, 1976. Proposes title for lecture.

Enclosure: Dr. Klaus Berger curriculum vitae, 1967. With handwritten annotations.

Letter from Chu-tsing Li, March 22, 1976. Sending a copy of Klaus Berger's curriculum vitae.

Letter from Klaus Berger, August 11, 1976. Honorarium is sufficient. Flight plans.

Letter from Klaus Berger, June 15, 1976. Discussion of an art critic. Has a date been set for lecture? Notes on bottom about dates.

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 22, 1976. Current trends in the art world are anti-art.

Letter from Klaus Berger, January 24, 1976. He finds current trends in German art depressing.

Postcard from Klaus Berger, December 23, 1975. Thanks for the catalogue, and best wishes for New Year. Enclosed in stamped air mail envelope, postmarked in Paris, December 24, 1975.

Letter from Klaus Berger, November 1, 1975. Received Bela Petheo's Duluth poster, and was delighted by it.

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 24, 1975. He is puzzled about Bela Petheo's suggestion that they meet in St. Cloud. Does Petheo mean the Paris suburb?

Letter from Klaus Berger, February 5, 1975. Received Bela Petheo's exhibition paper despite mail strike in Paris.

Letter from Klaus Berger, April 10, 1974. Remembers their meeting well. Agrees with idea of looking beyond France for art in the last two centuries, without allowing profit motives to substitute for artistic quality.

Letter from Klaus Berger, January 6, 1974. Letter of recommendation for Carol Fallon.

Letter from André Gence, April 2, 1975. In French. Would have loved to see Bela Petheo's exhibition. Trip to United States was once-in-a-lifetime event. In stamped air mail envelope.

Letter from André Gence, November 23, 1972. In French. Thanks Bela and Kathy Petheo for their friendship. His work, and upcoming exhibition in Tokyo. In stamped air mail envelope.