Entartete Kunst [catalogue of the Nazi’s infamous exhibition of “Degenerate Art”]

AUCTION 41 | Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, & Graphic Art

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Lot 301
(HOLOCAUST).

Entartete Kunst [catalogue of the Nazi’s infamous exhibition of “Degenerate Art”]

Text in German. Numerous illustrations pp. 32. Original illustrated wrappers, covers detached. 8vo

Berlin: Verlag für Kultur (1937)

Est: $1,000 - $1,500
PRICE REALIZED $1,100
Entartete Kunst, or Degenerate Art was the term adopted by the Nazi regime in Germany to describe virtually all modern art. Such art was banned on the grounds that it was un-German, or Jewish-Bolshevist in nature. Degenerate Art was also the title of an exhibition, mounted by the Nazis in Munich in 1937, consisting of modernist artworks chaotically hung and accompanied by text labels deriding the art displayed. The works were presented to incite further revulsion by the public against the "perverse Jewish spirit" penetrating German culture. The exhibition premiered in Munich on July 19th, 1937 and remained on view until November 30th. At the end of four months Entartete Kunst had attracted over two million visitors before travelling elsewhere in Germany and Austria