An Artist against the Third Reich
Ernst Barlach, 1933–1938

The conflict between National Socialism and the sculptor Ernst Barlach, and the ideological battle involved.

Peter Paret (Author)

9780521035705, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 March 2007

248 pages, 38 b/w illus.
22.2 x 15 x 1.4 cm, 0.364 kg

'This is a compelling and, at the same time, carefully nuanced study of the complex relationship between Barlach and the dictatorship of the Third Reich … Paret's narrative extends beyond its particular focus on Barlach's situation to consider the ideological and personal motives behind the regime's policies on the arts.' The Burlington Magazine

The conflict between National Socialism and Ernst Barlach, one of the most important sculptors of the twentieth century, is an unusual episode in the history of Hitler's efforts to rid Germany of 'international modernism'. Barlach did not passively accept the confiscation and destruction of his sculptures. He protested the injustice, and continued his work. Hitler's rejection of modernism, often dismissed as absurd ranting, is instead interpreted as an internally consistent and politically effective critique of liberal Western culture. That some radical national socialists nevertheless advocated a 'Nordic modernism' and tried to win Barlach over indicates the cultural cross-currents running through the early years of the Third Reich. Peter Paret's closely focused study of an artist in a time of crisis seamlessly combines the history of modern Germany and the history of modern art.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Hitler
2. Barlach
3. Nordic modernism
4. The hounding of Barlach
5. German and un-German art
6. After the fact
A note on the literature
Notes
Documents and works cited
Index.

Subject Areas: Political ideologies [JPF], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], European history [HBJD], Sculpture [AFKB]