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Junkerhaus, Lemgo: Living Room

Posted by
MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 29 September 2008 in Art & Design.

This is a view of the living room of the Junkerhaus, constructed by German artist and architect Karl Junker. Though the house was finished in 1891, Junker was busy with its perfection up to his death in 1912. The interior has been reconstructed to its original state, so there are no lights (except one) that would have improved the light conditions. But you know that from many of my church shots, so I kindly ask you to ignore the strong noise. :-)

The complete interior is made of wood; all decorations, carvings, furniture is done by Junker himself. He even did the bolsters, the paintings on the walls, on the ceiling and on the floor; the only objects in his house not produced by him are the stoves and the cooker.

When this house was built, Junker had no neighbourhood, as he was living outside the city. He was living alone in this house, but at least it sees that he has dreamt of a family life, as he also made a children's room.

--
My camera is broken, kaputt! "Err 99", Canon users might know that. It's the shutter, repair doesn't make sense. What would you recommend: eos 450D or a 40D? (Canon only, please, I don't want to exchange my lenses.)

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Before I forget: parts of Germany turned into a democracy tonight! The (almost) almighty Bavarian CSU party suffered a tangible defeat: from 60 percent four years ago to 43 percent now! Though they're still the strongest party in Bavaria, they lost their absolute majority - for the first time in fifty years! Hallelujah!

Zygene from morlaix, France

Une superbe intérieure et bien étonnante.

29 Sep 2008 5:44am

@Zygene: Merci beaucoup!

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

What fabulous workmanship, I have heard of Karl Junker, but this is the first time that I've seen anything of his work. It's wonderful.
Sorry about your camera MS, wish I could help you but I'm not familiar with Canon.

29 Sep 2008 6:29am

@MaryB: I'm already searching for a new one. :)
This house is really different. I didn't know anything about house and artist (but my wife did) and I really found it surprising. It's a miracle that it survived the 80 years until the city of Lemgo purchased it and put it under monumental protection.

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

Oh My Goodness....I can't believe the workmanship in this house! It just blows me away. Thank you so much for bringing it to us:-))
Sorry about the camera...devastating! I'm sorry I can't be of help either mate. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice!

29 Sep 2008 7:22am

@Linerberry: Almost too much! It's that dang shutter, everybody recommends a repair, but this will cost at least 150 Euros, pretty much for a camera that is less worth. No, I want a new and better one.
Yes, this house is very special. More pictures will follow.

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Amazing!

29 Sep 2008 8:46am

@Ana Lúcia: A very special place, indeed.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

This is absolutely wonderful . . more evil than I had dared expect ! It has me looking round wondering on which wall to start here !

29 Sep 2008 11:54am

@Ronnie 2¢: Despite its unusual appearance, some of these furniture are very practical: the sofa has built-in drawers, the toilet seat has a place to put the newspaper into etc.

Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia

Has a kind of gothic rock star look. but emminently original although from here not beautiful.

29 Sep 2008 2:23pm

@Michael Skorulski: When this was being made it was much more colourful. Remnants of the original colours (orange, red, blue, green) have been preserved; nonetheless the whole house makes a very bold expression, no doubt.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

More gothic than I dreamed, I can picture Frankenstein and the Count sitting around the table.

29 Sep 2008 3:14pm

@JoeB: Only their ghosts! :-) Actually there are some friendly people guiding you through the house.

Rui from Leiria, Portugal

Absolutely fantastic.

About the camera, why don't you think about the new 50d? Has just been released... you can find here the Preview and a small comparision with 40d http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos50d/

29 Sep 2008 3:32pm

@Rui: Thanks :-)

50D: 1000+ €, whew, my treasurer wouldn't allow this :-) But thanks for that link!

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

I get a tremendous feeling from this shot. The old creaking wood, smelling of mellow long years, and there is a hint of Jacobean in the decor. One can almost touch the history.

Too bad about your camera MS. I used to have the canon 350D and the results for me were excellent. The 450 is about the same size, while the 40D is much bigger. It's a dilemma I know.

29 Sep 2008 4:25pm

@Observing: I'll show more from that house. The pictures don't have superior quality but I like the originality of the subject. Mr. Junker was known as a friendly guy who initially guided guests through his house - against payment of a small fee.
The cam, yes it's not easy! I had tons of fun with my 300D, but I don't intend to spend any further money on it. Time has come for a better one, and I'm still not sure if it would be better just to take a better version of my old one or to go a step further. Price difference isn't that big, but it hurts, though! :-(

Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States

Junker must have been a devoted artist, I am looking at the details with awe. But it feels extremely uncomfortable (in modern term) having a meal in such a dark and textured dining room. I hope you get a new camera soon, I hate it when my gear goes kaput.

29 Sep 2008 6:52pm

@Howard F.: Thanks, Howard! I have to admit, I'm a hesitant buyer, but I won't be too long without a camera. :-)
Hundred years ago this furniture was much more colourful. Some of it were quite practical (built-in drawers in the sofa, for example). But it is a very strange place, though.

Ted from South Wales, United Kingdom

Some seriously dark uncompromising furniture!
I had the 350D but jumped ship to Nikon, the D80, new lenses and all. No regrets, best thing I could've done!

29 Sep 2008 8:06pm

@Ted: My treasurer wouldn't allow this :-) No, serious, I had a lot of fun with my old 300D, but it's time for a better system. The question is, how much better?
Hundred years ago, this furniture was more colourful, the decades have left their traces. Incredible that this house was purchased, protected and refurbished by the city of Lemgo only 17 years ago!

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

It's very "space" (for special) as would say my daughter !!!

29 Sep 2008 10:14pm

@Evelyne Dubos: And right is she! :-)

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

Inside is as strange than outside. The table is very nice but the chairs doesn't look very comfortable.

29 Sep 2008 11:42pm

@akarui: Unfortunately we were not allowed to sit down :-)

Laurent from Lyon, France

quite wierd and interesting. The kind of place I wish I could visit but not the kind of place I could leave in!!!

PS: I don't know about the 450d but I'm really pleased with my 40d.

30 Sep 2008 11:47am

@Laurent: I totally agree, this house is drowning in its ornament. I think a 40D would be the right one. I just need a gentle push to buy it. :-)

MaryP from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom

This place is eerie!, weird! and wonderful!!. I will never get the chance to see this for real so it is really something to see your images. I love Canon. All my cameras' have been canon. I use a Ganon G6 for grab shots, and a 400D (with tripod) and have two L series lenses. Would,nt swap them for anything.If i should win the lottery i will have a Mark1s (i wish)!

1 Oct 2008 4:05pm

@MaryP: Good luck! :-D
I had lots of fun with my 300D, but now it's time to go a step further. As you can see in my portfolio I like to shoot at places with bad light conditions and a 40D will be just right. :-)

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Those chairs don't look very comfortable to me. Does the 40D have 32,000 ISO like the Nikon 700? Come on, you can afford new lenses. To paraphrase an old National Lampoon line: Europeans are rich, I can't even afford to visit Europe, much less live there; and you can just whack that old 300D into your swimming pool with your polo mallet.

2 Oct 2008 5:46am

@Twelvebit: Does the 40D have 32,000 ISO like the Nikon 700? - Nope, it can't compete with your children's camera.
Europeans are rich... - I gave my old one to my cook's son. But after my purchase of this oldtimer for some 590.000 Euros I think I have to restrain from buying my new Estoque. Maybe I lend on one of my castles.