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The 'Degenerate Art' that Hitler Hated: 'Entartete Kunst' with Sabry Amroussi
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From the 1920s onwards, the term 'Entartete Kunst' ('Degenerate Art') was adopted by the Nazi party in Germany in which they labeled modern art. Named after the 1937 exhibition 'Entartete Kunst' ('Degenerate Art') this seminar tells the tragic story of the painters and other artists banned by Adolf Hitler.
For these painters, artists, and creatives, their art was considered 'degenerate' of 'not Arian'. It was therefore displayed and mocked in this traveling exhibition in 1937 in an attempt to inflame opinion against modernism. After the exhibition, most of the works were tragically burnt or sold off. Having published on German artists that fled the Nazi regime, Sabry Amroussi will try to reconstruct this exhibition, discussing the 'banned' artists and the aftermath of Hitler's persecution of the painters.
Led by an expert on art history, Sabry Amroussi, this interactive seminar will explore the sad tale of particular paintings and artists deeply affected by the Nazi Party’s labeling of degenerate art. Designed to inform curiosity, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the exhibition of 1937 and its impact.
Sabry Amroussi is an art historian and writer living and working in Amsterdam. He specializes in the art of the Dutch Golden Age, mainly in the works of Rembrandt and his school, and has a keen interest in the Jewish history of Amsterdam. He lectures and teaches on both subjects and gives art historical tours all across Europe. As a true omnivore when it comes to art, culture, and even cuisine, he has worked with and for major museums and collectors, such as the LACMA, Rijksmuseum, van Gogh Museum and the P de Boer collection in Amsterdam. As a guide for Context, he is eager to share this knowledge in real life, always with a big scoop of humor, ofter intermingling art with social life, cuisine, and history.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Another terrific presentation by Sabry, in which I learned a great deal about the underpinnings of what came to be called 'degenerate art' by the Nazis. The links to Hitler's own view of himself as an artist, what was considered "acceptable art", and connections to the WWI suffering of many artists were brought together along with discussion of the works themselves. Thanks to Sabry for sharing yet-more of his broad and deep knowledge.
Comprehensive and necessary.
This was both an interesting and somewhat disturbing/sensitive topic. While there's a desire to learn more and understand what was going on with art during the Nazi regime, it has to be presented respectfully and with an eye towards informing rather than glorifying. Sabry did an amazing job on a subject that was personal to him. I learned so much, as I always do with Sabry, and I appreciate his presentation and approach.
A brilliant seminar from Sabry, integrating history, social life, politics and not only art but how the life of the artists shaped expressionist art. Just brilliant.
Wonderful concise presentation about a terrible time in world history. Sabry brings new information to me in all his lectures. He is an extraordinary teacher.