KÜHNEL, Paul Ernst Wilhelm Arthur. Neubrandenburg (Mecklenburg) 26.10.1882 — Berlin 5.8.1964. German Art Historian. Son of Paul K., a gymnasium teacher, and Eva-Hedwig Braun (d. 1885). Planned career as diplomat and studied in Paris and Vienna, but from 1902 art history and archaeology at Munich, then Heidelberg. Ph.D. 1906 Heidelberg (diss. on Italian art). In 1905-09 travelled in Italy, North Africa and Spain, now became interested in Islamic art. In WW I sent on political mission to Morocco, 1915-18. Successor of Sarre (under whom he worked from 1911) in Staatl. Museen in Berlin as Director of the Museum of Islamic Art 1931-51, also Professor at Berlin University, 1935-54 (ord. 1946, after WW II in Berlin-Dahlem and at F.U.B.). Participated in excavations in Iraq. Married 1937 Irene Kunze (1899–1988), also an art historian.
Publications: “Ausstellung von Meisterwerken mohammedanischer Kunst in München”, Der Islam 1, 1910, 183-194, 369-384.
– With H. Goetz: Indische Buchmalereien aus dem Jahangir-Album der Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. 11+63 p. 43 pl. Buchkunst des Orients 2. B. 1924.
– Indische Miniaturen aus dem Besitz der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin. 32 p. 19 pl. B. n.d. (c. 1937).
– Persische Miniaturmalerei. 59 p. B. 1959 (mainly illustrations), and other works on Islamic art, also on Coptic art, and textiles.
Sources: *F. Babinger, ZDMG 115, 1965, 1-15; I. Kühnel-Kunze, N.D.B. 13, 1982, 203-205; Wikipedia (more details in German version); photo in Rau 110 (from ZDMG 115).
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