Suchergebnisse

Friedrich Krauß (1791–1868) is the author of "Nothschrei eines Magnetisch-
Vergifteten" (A Cry of Distress by a Victim of Magnetic Poisoning) which was published
in 1852. In the history of psychiatry this thousand-page work was considered to be the
most comprehensive 19th century self-description of a partly psychotic experience written
in the German language. Recently discovered sources reveal a hitherto unknown side of
the author: employed as a chancery clerk from 1812 onwards, Krauss published two
portfolios of calligraphy in 1822 and in 1849. Particularly the 1822 collection bears clear
evidence of his typical fears of being manipulated. We will summarize the current state
of biographical research on Krauss while also analyzing his calligraphic work with respect
to the author's aesthetic production in the context of the general socio-cultural
significance of calligraphy. Up until now the then popular theory of "animal magnetism"
was considered to be Krauß' primary point of reference. With our approach we will
establish new links, especially with the esoteric and occultist literature of those days. The
calligraphic artwork enables a broader perspective on Krauss and his oeuvre, for instance
with respect to preliminary psychodynamic hypotheses on the triggering erotic conflict
and his personality as well as to the compensatory social role of calligraphy in his life.