Bode, Wilhelm Von

Bode, Wilhelm von (vĭl`hĕlm fən bō`də), 1845–1929, German art critic and writer. He abandoned law for art and archaeology in 1869. In 1872 he was made assistant in the Berlin Museum; in 1883, director of the department of Christian sculpture; and in 1890, director of the gallery of paintings. Under his supervision the museum grew into one of the world's greatest collections. From 1905 to 1920 he was director-general of the royal museums of Prussia. His books include Rembrandt (with Hofstede de Groot, 8 vol., 1897–1905; tr. 1906), Great Masters of Dutch and Flemish Painting (tr. 1909), and Florentine Sculptors of the Renaissance (1902, tr. 1909).

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Bode, Wilhelm Von 

Born Dec. 10, 1845, in Calvörde, Braunschweig; died Mar. 3, 1929, in Berlin. German art historian, associated with museums.

From 1906 to 1920, Bode was general director of Berlin museums. He studied the art of the Italian Renaissance and Dutch and Flemish painting (Florentine Sculptors of the Renaissance, 1906–12; Masters of the Dutch and Flemish Schools, 1917; and others). He made wide use of archival data and discovered and studied many works of previously forgotten artists.

WORKS

Die Meister der holländischen und flämischen Malerschulen, new compilation, 11th ed. Leipzig, 1968.

REFERENCE

Beth, I. Verzeichnis der Schriften von Wilhelm von Bode. Berlin, 1915.