# Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte

> German center for art history in Paris

**Wikidata**: [Q253771](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q253771)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Center_for_Art_History)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/deutsches-forum-fur-kunstgeschichte

## Summary
The Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte (DFK Paris) is a German research institute located in Paris, France, dedicated to the study of art history. Founded in 1997, it operates as part of the Max Weber Foundation and maintains a specialized library alongside its research infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Research institute and research infrastructure.
- **Location**: Paris, France (Coordinates: lat 48.867, lon 2.3357397222222).
- **Inception**: 1997.
- **Operator & Affiliation**: Max Weber Foundation.
- **Field of Work**: Art history.
- **Employees**: 37 (as of November 2023).
- **Directors**:
    - Thomas W. Gaehtgens (1997–2007).
    - Andreas Beyer (2009–2013).
    - Thomas Kirchner (2014–Oct 1, 2022).
    - Peter Geimer (Oct 1, 2022–present).
- **Components**: German Center for Art History, Library.
- **Identifiers**:
    - ISNI: 0000000121839495.
    - ROR ID: 01zsnaa93.
    - GRID ID: grid.506471.1.
    - GND ID: 10000955-4.
    - VIAF ID: 150199085.
    - SIREN Number: 491081832.
    - Library of Congress Authority ID: no00073143.
- **Official Website**: https://dfk-paris.org.
- **Social Media & Tech**: Twitter (@DFKParis), GitHub (dfk-paris).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte?
A: The institute focuses on research and development in the humanities and social sciences, specifically centered on art history.

### Q: Who oversees the operations of the DFK Paris?
A: The institute is operated by and affiliated with the Max Weber Foundation.

### Q: Where is the institute located?
A: It is headquartered in Paris, France. Historical imagery suggests a location at Hotel Lully.

### Q: Who has served as director of the institute?
A: Directors include Thomas W. Gaehtgens (1997–2007), Andreas Beyer (2009–2013), Thomas Kirchner (2014–2022), and the current director, Peter Geimer, who started on October 1, 2022.

## Why It Matters
The Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte serves as a critical node in the international network of art historical research. By establishing a German research presence in Paris, it facilitates cross-cultural academic exchange and provides specialized infrastructure for the study of art history. As part of the Max Weber Foundation, it contributes to the broader mission of fostering humanities and social science research globally. Its dedicated library and research centers support scholars in generating new knowledge and preserving cultural heritage documentation.

## Notable For
- Being a specialized German art history research center located abroad.
- Operating under the Max Weber Foundation, a prominent research organization.
- Maintaining a staff of 37 employees dedicated to research and support.
- Hosting a library as a core component of its infrastructure.
- Being legally registered as a foreign company not registered with the RCS (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) in France, classified under specific French legal categories.

## Body
### Mission and Focus
The Deutsches Forum für Kunstgeschichte (DFK Paris) functions as a dedicated research institute with a specific focus on art history. Classified as both a research institute and research infrastructure, it operates within the industry of "Research and development in humanities and social sciences," as defined by the Nomenclature d'activités française, rév. 2. Its primary field of work remains art history, supporting scholarly investigation and knowledge generation in this discipline.

### Leadership and History
The institute was established in 1997. Its leadership history includes:
- **1997–2007**: Thomas W. Gaehtgens served as the founding director.
- **2009–2013**: Andreas Beyer led the institute.
- **2014–2022**: Thomas Kirchner served as director, concluding his tenure on October 1, 2022.
- **2022–Present**: Peter Geimer assumed the role of director on October 1, 2022.

### Organizational Structure
The DFK Paris is a constituent part of the Max Weber Foundation, which serves as both its operator and parent organization. The institute itself comprises the "German Center for Art History" and a "Library." As of November 2023, the organization employs 37 individuals.

### Location and Facilities
The institute is headquartered in Paris, France, with geographic coordinates at latitude 48.867 and longitude 2.3357397222222. Imagery in the knowledge base associates its location with the Hotel Lully in Paris.

### Legal and Official Status
Under French law, the institute's official name is recorded as "DEUTSCHES FORUM FUR KUNSTGESCHICHTE." It is categorized legally as a "Foreign company not registered with the RCS" (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés). It holds a SIREN number (491081832) for identification purposes.

### Identifiers and Cataloging
The DFK Paris is indexed in numerous library and authority systems:
- **International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI)**: 0000000121839495.
- **Research Organization Registry (ROR)**: 01zsnaa93.
- **Global Research Identifier Database (GRID)**: grid.506471.1.
- **German National Library (GND)**: 10000955-4.
- **Virtual International Authority File (VIAF)**: 150199085.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no00073143.
- **SUDOC (IdRef)**: 060273992.
- **National Library of Israel (J9U)**: 987007601694405171.
- **LIBRIS (Sweden)**: xv8bfrtg4xc4r90.
- **SELIBR**: 251444.
- **Dutch National Library (CR Aut)**: kn20090526005.
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/e0251464-1a32-44c7-9af2-523fdce86f37.
- **NFDI4Culture ID**: E1885.

### Digital Presence
The institute maintains an active online presence through its official website (https://dfk-paris.org), a Twitter account (@DFKParis, active since February 28, 2012), and a GitHub account (dfk-paris). It is also represented on Wikipedia in Commons, German, English, and French editions.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. SIRENE
3. [Peter Geimer ist neuer Direktor des DFK Paris. 2022](https://www.maxweberstiftung.de/presse/aktuelles-presse/einzelansicht-pressemeldungen/detail/News/peter-geimer-ist-neuer-direktor-des-dfk-paris.html)
4. [Kontakte A–Z | DFK Paris](https://www.dfk-paris.org/de/page/kontakte-a%E2%80%93z-49.html)
5. GRID Release 2019-10-06
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File