The German Forum for Art History (DFK), located in Paris, was founded as a temporary project in 1997 with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Until October of 2007, the institution was headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Thomas W. Gaehtgens. On recommendation of the Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat), the Forum became part of the Foundation of German Humanities Institutes Abroad (DGIA) as of  July 1st 2006.

It is the principle objective of the DFK to support research conducted by German scholars on French subjects. Moreover the DFK promotes the interest of French scholars in the Humanities to undertake research on German art and German art history.

In doing so, the DFK also endeavors to include other European and transatlantic countries and academic disciplines to participate in its research  programs. The allocation of scholarships in the context of the annual theme is international.

The DFK entertains a lively academic exchange with the art history departments at universities as well as with museums and with preservation institutions. Important cooperating partners are the Institut national d'histoire de l'art (INHA) in Paris, the Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome, the Kunsthistorische Institut in Florence and the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte in Munich. Since June 2003, the DFK is member of the International Association of Research Institutes in the History of Art (RIHA).


>>> Associated Institutions