| Summary: | This thesis analyses the literary portraits written by Else Lasker-Schiiler about her
fellow artists, taking into account the process of abstraction in art and literature at the turn
of the 20t h century. Of this process the focus will be on two main aspects: the montage
techniques that Lasker-Schiiler uses and the aesthetic discourse of the avant-garde
reflected in her literature.
Else Lasker-Schiiler's writing frequently uses techniques of montage. Therefore
photomontages of Dadaist artist Hannah Hoch provide a basis to analyse Lasker-
Schiiler's literary portrait technique. This analysis makes it clear that Lasker-Schiiler's
literary portrait techniques share significant criteria of the photomontage, for example,
the fragmental structure of the "cut" or the infinity of the text through intertextual crossreference.
The physiognomic description unravels in the montage structure of the literary
portraits. The portraits show a sketch-like description of the artists that includes a
description of their works, their appreciation of art as well as Lasker-Schiiler's personal
memories and anecdotes of the artists' lives. This approach opens a dimension of metapoetic
writing in Lasker-Schiiler's works that reflects on art, rather than just portraying
her fellow artists. Through direct and indirect quotes, the literary portraits become
readable beyond the boundaries set by the text. When considered as one, her portraits can
be read as one large montage within the aesthetic discourse of the avant-garde
movements. Within this montage Lasker-Schiiler does not only state her own concept of a
contemporary form of the artwork, but at the same time realizes it within the literary
portrait. This, is done through a language that works with synaesthesia, simultaneity and
the embodiment of the text through metaphors. In addition, Lasker-Schiiler turned her
literary artwork into a life-performance where she took over the identity of the characters
developed in her writing. Therefore her work can be read as a forceful example of the
connection of art and life within the avant-garde movements. === Arts, Faculty of === Central Eastern Northern European Studies, Department of === Graduate
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