Degenerate art in Germany during World War II was art that was not considered to be appealing to the “pure” German people of Germany. It was modern art mostly done by Jewish or Bolshevist artists. Their artwork was prohibited and enforced by Nazis usually to be destroyed. Other times Nazis would exhibit this art in an unflattering, disrespectful display. This was clever of them to show the artwork in this type of way. The artwork may have been displayed in a chaotic way and with graffiti on or around the pieces, but at least the artwork was still being shown and recognized; except mostly by the wrong people. These artists went through such depressing disrespect it is amazing that they did not give up. Most kept painting or creating in their specific mediums only to have them destroyed or to be made fun of by Nazis and Germans who were unimpressed. Such a significant amount of over three million people visited these works of art in their exhibit Entartete Kunst. Many of the artists included in this exhibition had such depressing lives already, it saddens me to think what extra stress and fear they went through seeing their possessions in an embarrassing exhibit or worse, disappearing. It is no surprise that an artist such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner eventually took his own life after all that he had been through. It is unfortunate that such a horrible time in German history, due to difference in race, had to conflict with the subject of art itself.
Like many black artists thought, moving to the north to pursue their dreams in becoming an artist was more successful than if they were to stay in the south. Whether it was a family barrier that was preventing the African American artists from going forth about their work or if it was an entirely different barrier, moving to the North led a slightly brighter future for their art careers. Harlem, in particular, seemed to be the main location for most, hence the Harlem Renaissance. Augusta Savage was an artist from the south who was unable to practice her sculpting due to her stubborn father. It is a humorous thought that such a harmless act of sculpting was compared by her father as pagan. The “306 group” that Savage helped found during her time in Harlem benefited the artist Jacob Lawrence who became a well known artist, inspiring African Americans due to his relatable artwork and new style. The simplicity of his work The Migration of the Negro displayed the migration experience not quite so realistic, but in a different view that was able to capture African American understanding. The “306 group” also benefited the very intellectual Romare Bearden. The intellectualism of Bearden most likely played a role in his artwork’s diverse difference in medium and style. “Rhapsodies in Black” was made to display the relationship of the social history of the Harlem Renaissance and the artwork of that time period. The Harlem Renaissance gave a cultural confidence to African Americans and was a time where they finally considered liberation and freedom to be true. The ability to express themselves freely was now an option.
Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series in Harlem and the Degenerate art exhibit in Germany both display works of art from who were considered to be the “minorities” of that time period. The artwork being shown in these exhibits were able to display the truth of what was happening at that time in history and was easily relatable to many. The difference between these exhibits is that one is a more positive idea than the other. “The New Negro” idea for example was to steer people away from relating the stereotypical African American with the thought of once being a slave. The Degenerate Art exhibit was meant to show a more negative view among the modern artists. In general, the two exhibits perceive racial indifference as a main factor of relation.
Carly Tucker 