Friedrich Justin Bertuch

Friedrich Justin Bertuch was born on September 30, 1747 in Weimar and was an important German publisher, writer and entrepreneur. He grew up in a time marked by the Enlightenment and developed an early interest in literature and science. After studying theology and law at the University of Jena, he decided to pursue a career in publishing.

In 1773, Bertuch entered the service of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and worked as the Duke's secretary. This position enabled him to make valuable contacts in the literary and scientific world. In 1782, he founded the "Landes-Industrie-Comptoir" publishing house in Weimar, which quickly became one of the most important publishing houses of its time. Bertuch was a pioneer in the field of popular science and education, and his publishing house published a large number of works aimed at a wide audience.

One of Bertuch's most famous projects was the "Picture Book for Children", which appeared in several volumes between 1790 and 1830. This work was one of the first encyclopedias for children and contained a large number of illustrations and texts on various topics such as nature, technology and culture. The "Picture Book for Children" was a great success and was translated into several languages.

Another important work published under Bertuch's leadership was the "Journal des Luxus und der Moden", which appeared from 1786 to 1827. This magazine was one of the first fashion magazines in the world and offered its readers insights into the latest fashion trends and luxury goods. Bertuch knew how to recognize and serve the needs and interests of his contemporaries, which brought him great success and recognition.

Friedrich Justin Bertuch was not only a successful publisher, but also a committed supporter of the arts and sciences. He supported numerous artists and scientists of his time and contributed significantly to the cultural prosperity of Weimar. Bertuch died in Weimar on April 3, 1822, but left behind a rich legacy that continues to resonate today.

Interesting fact: Bertuch was a true visionary of his time. He recognized early on the importance of education and knowledge for society and throughout his life he worked to make this accessible to a broad audience. His "picture book for children" is considered the forerunner of modern children's encyclopedias and shows how innovative and forward-looking Bertuch thought. Important works of art & pictures by Friedrich Justin Bertuch: 1. "Picture Book for Children" (1790-1830)
2. "Journal of Luxury and Fashion" (1786-1827)
3. "Allgemeine Literatur-Zeitung" (1785-1803, participation)
4. "Der neue Teutsche Merkur" (1789-1810, participation)
5. "Orbis Pictus" (1800, collaboration)
6. "Natural History for Children" (1800, participation)
7. "Collection of natural and artificial products" (1800, participation)
8. "Weimar Yearbook for German Language, Literature and Art" (1805, collaboration)
9. "The Garden Pavilion" (1810, participation)
10. "The Child Friend" (1812, participation)