Jung-Koch-Quentell Wall Charts

Jung–Koch–Quentell wall charts (abbreviated as JKQ) are a series of educational wall charts for teaching biology and zoology created by Heinrich Jung (1856–1939), Gottlieb von Koch (1849-1914) and Friedrich Quentell (1847-1935). They collaborated on a series of wall charts which were published as Neuen Wandtafeln für den Unterricht in der Naturgeschichte by Frommann and Morian of Darmstadt who went out of business after World War II. The rights were then obtained by Wilhelm and Marie Hagemann and it was republished by Hagemann Company of Düsseldorf. The illustrations were often geometrically stylized and idealized in the style of Ernst Haeckel who was an influence on Von Koch. These charts are now collectors items.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

The Jung-Koch-Quentell’schen Lehrtafeln/Wandtafeln – originally created between 1892 and 1921^[7]– "were used in lectures at university and schools until the late twentieth century"^[8] and were re-issued several times, up until 2015.^[9][10]

The design of the charts followed twelve guidelines outlined in the accompanying booklet.^[11][1] The selected species for illustration were chosen with reference to the textbooks, ensuring that they represent the entire organism and highlight the most important parts relevant to the lesson. It was meant to be used by the teacher and no text was added to the charts themselves. Each plates represented a single species with details of parts and the backgrounds were often black to maintain focus on the objects. The illustrations often had the details simplified and often made more geometric, idealized, and aesthetic.^[12]

The charts were painted by Heinrich Jung, a teacher, with the support of Gottlieb von Koch, a zoology professor and natural history museum curator, and Friedrich Quentell, a teachers' seminary director.^[11] The charts were initially published by Frommann & Morian (1847–1930) of Darmstadt,^[13] who originally announced to sell them in 6 shipments of 10 sheets each. Each sheet had the dimensions of 100 by 75 cm^[14] of which 30 sheets were botanical and 30 dealt with zoological subjects.^[15] They were supplemented by an accompanying booklet.

Fromman & Morian was sold to a competitor in 1930, but continued to operate until ca 1940.^[13] The original paintings and lithographic plates were lost in World War II. The charts were re-published by Hagemann Lehrmittelverlag in Düsseldorf in the 1950s and 1960s. Carl Morian^[16] was involved in this re-creation, supported by Dr Georg Heldmann, the successor of Gottlieb von Koch as curator of the zoology department of the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt.^[17] The new edition format was increased to 86x114 cm, and parts of the objects were now placed on a 'natural' background. The artists who drew these new background are not known.^[18]

Shortly after their first publication, the charts were recommended by the Prussian educational authorities.^[19] After this official endorsement, many schools in Prussia and its provinces procured them.^[20]

The following list is taken from ^[11] the 1903's booklet, with additions from the 1928's booklet. The original spelling is used, which differs sometimes from current day use.

In 1928, Carl Morian and Heinrich Jung added two additional charts "Anatomie", showing a human skeleton from the side and in frontal view.

Heinrich Jung (19 June 1856, Wöllstein^[21] – 3 November 1939, Darmstadt^[22]) became a teacher at the Stadtknabenschule Darmstadt (boys' school) in 1878.^[23] He was a founding member of the association for natural sciences in Darmstadt (Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein zu Darmstadt), which was co-found by Gottlieb von Koch on 21 August 1880.^[24][25] He taught at the Mädchenmittelschule (girls' secondary school, as of 2025: Goetheschule) in Darmstadt from 26 June 1886 until he retired on 1 February 1924.^[26] He married Katharina Maria Louise Noack on 20 October 1886 and they had three children - Heinz Jung, Gustav Jung and Thilde Jung.^[27]

Gottlieb von Koch (1849 – 1914) was an artist as well as a biologist and had worked with Ernst Haeckel whose works likely influenced the idealization of the art work in the charts. He designed the zoological dioramas at the Darmstadt Museum.^[28]

Friedrich Eduard Quentell (26 April 1847, Worms –20 March 1935, Homberg/Ohm^[30]) studied at the Gymnasium in Worms from 1866 and before going to Heidelberg, Bonn, and Gießen. In Heidelberg, he studied mathematics, chemistry and physics under Rummer, Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff.^[29] In Gießen, he worked with botanist Hermann Hoffmann and attended lessons of Rudolf Leuckart, who created zoological wall charts between 1877 and 1892.^[29]

In 1873, he transferred to Mainz^[31] and published a paper with Hermann Hoffmann "Die Diatomeen von Gießen" (the diatomes of Gießen).^[32] In 1874, he became teacher at the Realschule (secondary school) in his home town Worms.^[33] During this time, he was chairman of the Worms gymnastics teachers' association.^[34]

In 1887 he became member of a commission to investigate suspected phylloxera infestations along the Rhine between Worms and Ingelheim.^[35] While in Worms (and later in Michelstadt), he also gave public lectures for wine growers on this topic.^[36] Supported by a recommendation of Gottlieb von Koch,^[29] Quentell could work at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn between 2 April 1889 and 3 June 1889.^[37] He was made headmaster of the Realschule (secondary school) Michelstadt in 1890,^[38] where he taught physics, chemistry, geography, and natural history.^[39] In 1893, he became headmaster of the teacher training college (Schullehrer-Seminar) in Friedberg, teaching pedagogics and about teaching aids.^[40][41] After his early retirement for health reasons in 1902, he remained active in several associations. Quentell was member of the alpine club section Gießen.^[42] On 12 May 1908, he became co-founder and board member of the non-profit society for light, air and sun baths in Giessen ("Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Licht= Luft= und Sonnenbäder zu Gießen").^[43]

He was elected Bundesleiter (federal leader) of the Wandervogel, Deutscher Bund für Jugendwandern on 17 April 1908 and in 1910 he became a honorary Bundesleiter.^[44]

• Paul Pfurtscheller
• Clotilde von Wyss

• Scanned images - Wageningen University Library