"Bare Bodies and Brutal History": A Tale of Nazi-looted Art and Otto Mueller's "Two Nudes"
A dynamic artwork narrates its captivating journey.
Take a peek into the world of French cartoonist Luz, who's turned Germany's controversial painting into a graphic masterpiece. With "Two Nudes" as the title, this comic, now translated in German, tells a captivating story interwoven with themes of Nazism, looted art, and morality.
"Nothing new under the sun," says Luz, echoing the timeless nature of the narrative he's crafted. This architect of satire was an editorial member of the infamous French satirical newspaper "Charlie Hebdo" for a quarter of a century, managing to dodge the Islamist attack on the editorial office on January 7, 2015, by simply oversleeping.
So, what drew Luz to this painting? It wasn't any random choice: the artist wanted to steer clear of the globally famed paintings from the "Degenerate Art" exhibition, opting instead for an intuitive pick. He's a fan of expressionist German painters, and this double portrait leaves room for individual thoughts, striking a chord with many viewers.
Seized by the Gestapo
There's a tempestuous history behind this painting, shares Luz, requiring extensive research to uncover its past. He first laid eyes on the original in Cologne, experiencing a profound emotional connection. He later returned to stand before it once more, engrossed in the swirling brushstrokes.
Initially owned by the Jewish collector Ismar Littmann from Breslau, it was seized by the Gestapo in 1935, deemed a "culturally Bolshevik representation of pornographic character" and displayed in the infamous Munich exhibition in 1937. The painting later found its way to the Museum Ludwig, though it wasn't until 1999 that it was recognized as looted art. In a twist of fate, the city council decided to return it to Ruth Haller, the daughter of Ismar Littmann, who held a special attachment to the painting since childhood. However, Haller sold it back to the city of Cologne, ensuring it remained within the museum's walls.
"History's Plaything"
Luz explains that he wanted to convey the idea that we're all subjected to the whims of history, much like a work of art. "Perhaps misunderstood," he adds, "just like a piece of art."
Originally, Luz had planned to create an historical book, but he realized that the tale he was weaving held profound relevance in today's world. Readers encounter a collector, immersed in antisemitic harassment, art dealers immoral exploitation, and a resurgence of far-right extremism in Europe. "Sadly, this isn't alien to us," admits Luz.
Editor's Note:While Luz's specifically crafted "Two Nudes" graphic novel is not found in the search results, Otto Mueller's painting is a significant piece within the broader context of the Expressionist movement and the issue of Nazi-looted art. Exploring this controversial work and its story through the lens of a graphic novel provides a unique and intriguing perspective on the entanglement of art, history, and morality.
- The relevance of Luz's work, "Two Nudes," can be seen in the parallels it draws with contemporary issues, such as far-right extremism and immoral exploitation in the art world.
- Luz's graphic novel, set against the backdrop of the Nazi-era, follows the journey of a painting seized by the Gestapo in 1935, a piece originally owned by the Jewish collector Ismar Littmann.
- Despite being deemed "pornographic character" by the Nazis and displayed in the "Degenerate Art" exhibition, the painting, now recognized as looted art, holds significant relevance to its present-day context and the ongoing debate about social policy and community policy.
- The painting, titled "Two Nudes," is an expressionist work by German painter Otto Mueller, which can be traced back to 1935 when it was seized by the Gestapo, immersed in the turbulent history of politics and general-news that marked Germany during that period.
