For Warburg, letters were among the most important forms of intellectual exchange. It was in correspondence with his family, friends and colleagues .that he outlined his ideas and studies in detail. This selection of letters amounts to an indirect biography, documenting and annotating his life and work from the beginning of Warburg’s studies in 1886 to his death in 1929 – meaning from the first lectures to his work on the Mnemosyne Atlas, which he left unfinished upon his death. Here, in addition to Warburg’s voice as a scientific author, we encounter a spirited writer who brings his own, more literary voice to bear expressing critical observation and comment on the political developments of the time. The book presents a selection of around 800 of Warburg’s letters that serve as annotated examples.

Contributions by: Thomas Helbig