This comprehensive publication dedicated to Carl Grossberg (1894–1940) accompanies a retrospective exhibition of his work at two German museums. His industrial structures, vats and machines are testimony to the rapid technological progress at the beginning of the twentieth century. Portrayed on a monumental scale, they are produced with sober precision, clear forms and luminous colours – and almost always without people. The eerie emptiness is both modern and impressive.

The monograph examines Carl Grossberg’s inimitable visual language and its relevance to the present day and addresses the contemporary resonance of his vision of globalisation and the structural changes caused by industry. Grossberg’s compositions, frequently reduced in an extreme way, elicit questions about progress and its effect on humanity. With his industrial landscapes and unique dream images, he evokes the magic of things in order to perceive other realities behind them. This unforgettable book is one that will stay with you.