Richard Beer-Hofmann
Richard Beer-Hofmann was a significant figure in the early 20th-century literary scene, particularly recognized for his contributions to poetic drama. Born into a German-speaking Jewish family, he became well-known among the Young Vienna circle, a group of avant-garde intellectuals and writers who congregated in Vienna's coffeehouses from 1890 to 1897. This group, which included notable figures like Hermann Bahr, Arthur Schnitzler, and Hugo von Hoffmannsthal, sought to move away from the naturalism of their time, instead embracing modernist styles such as impressionism and symbolism. Beer-Hofmann's oeuvre often explored profound biblical themes, with works like "Jaakobs Traum" receiving acclaim from influential poets like Stephen Spender. Despite his literary successes, Beer-Hofmann faced challenges, including being barred from Germany, and eventually settled in New York City, where he passed away at the age of seventy-nine shortly after World War II. His life and work reflect the complexities of a Jewish artist navigating the turbulent cultural landscape of his era.
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Richard Beer-Hofmann
Playwright
- Born: July 11, 1866
- Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
- Died: September 26, 1945
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
A German-speaking Jew who gained fame with poetic drama, Beer-Hofmann spent his adolescence among the literati of Young Vienna, a group of intellectuals who met at coffeehouses, such as the Café Griensteidl in Vienna, from 1890 to 1897. The group, led by Hermann Bahr and including Arthur Schnitzler and Hugo von Hoffmannsthal, discussed and critiqued each other’s writings and lovers. They were considered lazy and decadent writers who felt no allegiance to the naturalism of their era. Instead, they experimented with impressionism, symbolism, and other modernist efforts. Their society was the subject of a scathing critique entitled “Demolished Literature,” a reference perhaps to the demolition of their chief gathering place, Café Griensteidl, in 1897. The group continued to meet at the nearby Café Central.
Beer-Hofmann lived what some considered a princely life. In his work, he tackled biblical themes, including the life of King David. His wide-ranging lyrical work, especially the poetic drama Jaakobs Traum, gained the attention of influential English-language poets such as Stephen Spender and was recognized by the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Barred from Germany, he died at the age of seventy-nine in New York City, shortly after the end of World War II.