Abbildung Mephistopheles

Diabolical! Mephisto in the Library

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special exhibition

Faust would be inconceivable without Mephisto – that diabolical, ironic, sweet-tongued and eloquent spirit “that negates ever” and with whom he makes a pact. Mephisto is an inextricable part of Faust himself.

The Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek owns the world’s largest Faust collection with over 21,000 items and publications. The presentation in the Study Centre highlights the multifaceted figure of Mephistopheles and follows the iconic rise of Faust’s nemesis in the media, starting with early book illustrations, actors’ photos and illustrated backdrops for paper theatres. In more recent times, Mephistopheles has been featured on album covers, comics, ad posters, and even shopping bags and beer bottles.

Discover the library’s media archive and find out how much Mephisto is in you!

You can also visit our virtual exhibition on “Diabolical! Mephisto in the Library”.

Insights

Zwei Personen sehen sich in einer Vitrine Mephisto-Illustrationen in Büchern an.
Book illustrations for Mepisto
Besucher betrachten Ausstellungstafeln mit Faust-Zeichnungen im hellen Raum des Studienzentrums.
View of the exhibition "Diabolical! Mephisto in the Library"
Mehrere Personen lesen entspannt in Sesseln in einer gemütlichen, hellen Sitzecke in der Bibliothek.
Reading lounge in the study center
Eine junge Frau betrachtet Ausstellungsstücke in einer Vitrine. Darunter ein schwarzer Teller mit Mephisto-Zeichnung.
View of the exhibition
Eine Hand zeigt auf eine detaillierte, historische Illustration auf einem Bildschirm.
Interactive station with pictures of Goethe's Faust
Auf Ausstellungstafeln werden illustrierte Szenen aus dem Faust gezeigt.
View of the exhibition
Zwei Personen lesen entspannt in Sesseln in einer gemütlichen, hellen Sitzecke in der Bibliothek.
Reading lounge in the study center
Ein Büchlein zeigt auf dem Cover eine Szene aus dem Stücks Faust.
Faust production of the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg from 1966
Besucher betrachtet eine Vitrine mit einer Mephisto-Figur und einer Bierflasche mit Mephisto-Etikett.
Mephisto Weisse, Faust collection

Theme year Faust 2025

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Projects of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Thuringia, represented by the State Chancellery of Thuringia, Department of Culture and the Arts.