Konkurrenzbeziehungen: Allgemeine und konfessionelle Kunstvereine im Kunstfeld des 19. Jahrhunderts

Abstract The article compares secular and faith-based art societies in the 19th century. Of special interest are the societies’ missions and purposes, as well as their activities and organizational structures. The main thesis is based on the work of German sociologist Georg Simmel and his conflict theory. I argue that the competition of these societies had invigorating effects on the field of art and its institutionalization in the course of the 19th century.