Cultural Expression in Nazi Germany: Art

1. Area of Study Three Cultural Expression in Nazi Germany: Art

2. Art in Nazi Germany Watch this video for an overview of Nazi art and culture. If it does not work view from the link on the Weebly page

3. Naked Penelopes Paintings of nude women appeared in Nazi art shows in order to make the shows more palatable, and to get people off the street. These paintings however, had to adhere to the Fuhrer’s strict guidelines of how a woman should be represented. The rules stated that, she be neat and clean, with full breasts, flat belly, long-muscled thighs and slim shanks. The virginal image of Nordic maidenhood. The subjects must also be painted against simple rustic settings, or placed in a mythical context, such as goddesses. Nazi Propagandists hoped, that paintings such as these would help to increase birth rate and inspire soldiers with the promise that a voluptuous Penelope was waiting for him upon his return. The Four Elements by Adolf Ziegler

5. Developing the ‘new’ Nazi culture In 1929 the Nazis set up the Militant League for German Culture. This organisation staged demonstrations against modern art, for example, they staged riots outside the anti-war film ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’. Jazz was banned due to its ‘black’ origins. All professional actors, musicians, artists and writers were obliged to belong to the Third Reich Chamber of Culture established in 1933. German culture suffered due to the censorship and the fact that many intellectuals emigrated or kept silent. On the 10th of May 1933, books of 160 ‘un-German’ writers were publicly burned. They were said to unclean, fit only for the flames lest they contaminate the German air. Art that did not conform to the Nazi ideals was considered DEGENERATE

6. Look closely at these images One is a front cover of the degenerate art exhibition program, the other for a Nazi approved art exhibition. Which one is which, how can you tell? What are the Nazis trying say about Nazi culture and beliefs?

7. Degenerate Art Vs Nazi Art

8. Degenerate Art Vs Nazi Art

9. Task Working in groups of 4, find two examples of art in Nazi Germanyand present your findings to the class. • One example must be an example of Nazi approved art. The other degenerate art. • Create a PPt slide of your examples to show the class. • Then prepare a brief explanation of each, stating what makes it Nazi approved or degenerate. • In your explanation, try to make reference to other sources, for example: “This image, painted by ______ is similar to ______ because…