The Turbulent Odyssey of "Two Female Nudes": An Expressionist Masterpiece and Its Controversial Past
A artwork narrates its captivating journey
Unveiling the remarkable narrative of a captivating artwork, cartoonist Luz breathes life into a 1919 painting titled "Two Female Nudes," created by Otto Mueller, an Expressionist artist. This riveting tale encompasses the turbulent history of Nazi looting, antisemitism, and immorality.
Inspired by German Expressionist painters and seeking to avoid the overly familiar, Luz ignited his creativity with this unique piece. The graphic novel, now available in German, provides readers with an captivating adaptation of the painting, set against the forbidden world of "Degenerate Art" in 1930s Germany.
Luz's personal connection to the work grows from its troubled past — a connection echoed in his own experiences as a permanent editorial member of the infamous "Charlie Hebdo" for 23 years. Fortunately, hemanaged to escape the fatal 2015 attack on the editorial office because it was his birthday and he overslept.
Graced with an extraordinary history, "Two Female Nudes" has been the subject of extended research for Luz, culminating in his emotional encounter with the original piece at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne.
The painting was initially acquired by Jewish collector Ismar Littmann from Breslau. However, in 1935, it was seized by the Gestapo. Exhibited in the infamous Munich "Degenerate Art" exhibition in 1937 as a "cultural Bolshevik representation of pornographic character," it later found its way into the Museum Ludwig's collection through various collectors.
In 1999, the painting was recognized as looted art, with the city council deciding to return it to Ruth Haller, the daughter of its original owner, Ismar Littmann. Haller, herself deeply attached to the painting, sold it back to the city of Cologne for the museum to keep.
Regarding the painting's turbulent journey, Luz explains, "I wanted to show that we are all tossed around by history just like any other object – and sometimes misunderstood just like a work of art."
While Luz originally intended to produce a historical book, he now views the comic as highly relevant to current times, encompassing topics such as antisemitism, questionable ethics in art dealing, and the resurgence of extremism in Europe.
Upon reflecting on his work, Luz commented, "sadly, none of this is unfamiliar to us."
Source: ntv.de, mli/dpa
- Comic
- National Socialism
- Art
- The community policy towards the "Two Female Nudes" painting, originally created by Otto Mueller, has been a subject of significant change, from being deemed degenerate during the Nazi era to being recognized as looted art in 1999.
- Luz's graphic novel "Two Female Nudes," a captivating adaptation of the painting, not only sheds light on the historical context of the work but also addresses contemporary issues like antisemitism, questionable ethics in art dealing, and the resurgence of extremism.
- Luz, a permanent editorial member of the infamous "Charlie Hebdo" for 23 years, finds a personal connection to the painting's troubled past, mirroring his own experiences, such as the 2015 attack on the editorial office, which he narrowly escaped.
- In an interview, Luz discussed the painting's turbulent journey, stating, "I wanted to show that we are all tossed around by history just like any other object – and sometimes misunderstood just like a work of art," highlighting the connection between politics and art on social media platforms like WhatsApp and in the realm of general-news.
