One of the most important artists of Art Nouveau in Munich, was highly influenced by the English Arts & Crafts Movement. One of the founders of the “Vereinigte Werkstätten für Kunst im Handwerk” (United Workshops for Art in Handicrafts) in Munich in 1897 and of the “Deutscher Werkbund” (German Association of Craftsmen) in 1907 as well as director of the Schools for Applied Arts in Munich and Cologne.
Between 1903 and 1905, Riemerschmid designed a service for Meissen called “Blaue Rispe” (Blue Panicle) which was subtly enriched by an erratic repetition of circular shapes that draw back to Riemerschmid’s admiration of the handicrafts and implements the characteristic randomness of his designs. The “Blaue Rispe” is a stylized foliage décor in underglaze blue on white, with which Riemerschmid offered a modern alternative to Meissen’s traditional blue and white onion pattern that had been continuously in use since the 18th century, by taking up and modifying its forms. Apart from an artistic approach, Riemerschmid took into account the utility of his porcelain in everyday life. The edges of his pieces are regularly dented while the blue dots are only slightly elevated and smooth, so that any grime could be removed easily. As a groundbreaking design of the German arts & crafts reform movement, Riemerschmid’s work for Meissen was well recognized around the globe.
