In the Temple of the Self

Book excerpt: As treasure troves of creativity, the homes of artists reflect the intellectual worlds of their creators. Starting with the Villa Stuck in Munich--the aesthetic, conceptual cosmos and life's work of the aristocratic artist Franz von Stuck--this unique volume integrates the artist's house as a category into the international discourse and is the first to assign these buildings the status of major works. About 20 examples bring to life the fascination that these artistic fantasies hold for art lovers, including both existing projects and some which, although they have been lost, were of unique importance in their day and still retain their charisma. Along with paintings, sculptures and photographs, plans and models convey the interrelationship between art and life as well as the harmony of the arts expressed by Richard Wagner's historical concept of the total work of art. Among the houses featured are Sir John Soane's Museum, London; William Morris's Red House, Bexleyheath; Louis Comfort Tiffany's Tiffany House, New York City; Mortimer Menpes' flat, London; the Fernand Khnopff Villa, Brussels; Jacques Majorelle's villa and garden, Marrakesh; Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau, Hanover; and Max Ernst's house, Arizona.