Museum’s 1920 Novel in Woodcuts Conserved for Exhibition
September 29, 2015
On the heels of your wonderful talk on Saturday, thank you Audrie Schell at McMaster Libraries for restoring yet another Book of Hours – this one, a beautiful 1920 novel in pictures, Frans Masereel’s Mein Stundenbuch (My Book of Hours, later titled Passionate Journey) Edition 319/650.
Frans Masereel (Belgian, 1889-1972) was a pacifist, a translator for the International Red Cross in Geneva, and a political cartoonist for the newspaper La Feuille 1917-20. He is widely acknowledged as the father of the wordless novel.
Mein Stundenbuch, arguably his greatest work, comprises 167 woodcuts. The German edition went on to sell over 100,000 copies in Europe and later editions included an introduction by Thomas Mann, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1929. Two woodblock images, considered scandalous, were removed in later editions.
McMaster’s copy of the book returned to the Museum of Art yesterday and will soon be Alberta bound. The book will be displayed in the exhibition, Living Building Thinking: Art and Expressionism opening at the Art Gallery of Alberta in October and at McMaster Museum of Art in fall 2016.
Recognizing Emerging Voices: 2026 Integrated Arts (iArts) Awards at the McMaster Museum of Art
May 7, 2026
The McMaster Museum of Art is proud to present and celebrate this year’s graduating Integrated Arts students through a series of awards, recognizing artistic excellence, collaboration, and innovation. From work that reflects the core values of the School of the Arts to projects that push creative boundaries and foster community — the SOTA Mission Award, Leadership & Community […]
Christina Leslie Announcement on TFVA Award and Acquisition of Pinhole Remix (2020) for M(M)A Collection.
April 28, 2026
Beyond February: Collecting Care and Reimagining Black Histories
March 3, 2026
The Black Madonnas of Perpetual Murmurs 19, 2023 collage, composition gold leaf, cutout on paper Museum of Art Collection Trust, 2024 As this year’s Black History Month come to a close, the McMaster Museum of Art wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to the Equity and Inclusion Office for their leadership and dedication in creating […]
