The Nazis Ban Nolde’s Paintings
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Arts and Culture Series
- Categories: Government and Politics, Arts, Social Issues, Reform, and Protest
- Subcategories: Artists, Artisans, Painting, Painters, Drawing, Censorship
- Curriculum: 20th & 21st Century European History, German History
- Geographical Location: Berlin
- Date: August 23, 1941
Article abstract: The banning of Emil Nolde’s art as “degenerate” by the Nazis signaled the end of freedom of expression in Germany.
Summary of Event
By the early 1930’s, Emil Nolde was one of the leading expressionist painters in Germany. His work was highly regarded by other artists as well as art critics, and, according to them, he expressed better than any other painter of his age the forceful, emotional, and intuitive character of expressionism. At times, his paintings appeared violent or grotesque, defeating his stated purpose of moving...
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