Concerning German Nature and Art

German publication

Also known as: “Von deutscher Art und Kunst”

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June 24, 2026

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The publication "Concerning German Nature and Art" (Von deutscher Art und Kunst) was a significant 1773 manifesto for the Sturm und Drang movement in German literature. This period marked a literary revival in Germany, moving away from provincialism and foreign dominance towards a new national self-awareness.1

Key figures like Johann Gottfried von Herder championed the idea of a unique "ethnic soul" (Volksseele) for each culture, advocating for the study and expression of folk literature as a model for poetry. The movement emphasized strong individualism and emotional expression, laying groundwork for later literary periods like Weimar Classicism. The publication itself focused on German character and art, contributing to a shift towards national concerns in German intellectual discourse.12

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German literature
Johann Gottfried von Herder
…manifested in works such as Von deutscher Art und Kunst, dealt with national history and national identity. Thus occurred a development and shift from morals to aesthetics and, finally, to national concerns.
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…manifested in works such as Von deutscher Art und Kunst, dealt with national history and national identity. Thus occurred a development and shift from morals to aesthetics and, finally, to national concerns.
Read More