amassed , many very rare , can still be visit-ed on Heilwigstrasse in Winterhude . However , the books themselves were forced by the rise of National Socialism to move to London in 1933 , forming the core of today ’ s Warburg Institute , a research facility focusing on the role of images in culture and run by the University of London .
Initially seeking more authentic life rituals after a brother ’ s high-society New York wedding , Warburg traveled to Pueblo communities in Colorado , New Mexico , and Arizona in the winter of 1895- 96 . While “ collecting ” for Warburg for the most part meant books and photos , he did acquire Hopi , Navajo , and Apache objects used in rituals on this trip . Many of these now belong to MARKK and form the nucleus of the exhibition .
Aby did not work out his forwardlooking theories on his own . Some of the images included in his famous Atlas were created by his wife , Mary , who art history has largely overlooked . As a young woman coming of age in Hamburg in the 1880s , serious artistic training was barred to Mary Warburg , and later her energies were focused on raising a family and supporting Aby ’ s career . How tenaciously Mary pursued her passion for art and developed her considerable talent , despite these constraints — drawing in ink and pastel whenever she could and later taking up sculpture , traveling to Florence ( where she met her husband ) to see great Renaissance and classical art , seeking private instruction from prominent artists , and carrying out commissions for illustrations , posters and invitations — is beautifully documented in an exhibition devoted to her art at the Ernst Barlach Haus in Jenisch Park .
Aby Warburg in the Galisteo Basin , New Mexico , on his journey through the USA in 1896 . © Warburg Institute London . Photo by Gotthold August Neef
Warburg Exhibits
Mary Warburg – Auf Augenblicke frei und glücklich , Ernst Barlach Haus until June 12
Blitzsymbol & Schlangentanz : Aby Warburg und die Pueblo-Kunst , Museum am Rothenbaum ( MARKK ) until January 8
Katsina figure Sa ’ lakwmana ( Sa ’ lakwmana tihu ), artist unknown . Hopi , Arizona , 1890-1895 . Painted poplar wood and plant fiber . Acquired by Aby Warburg in Wálpi . MARKK Collection Aby Warburg ( 1902 ), Inv . -Nr . B6152