Degenerate art facts for kids
Degenerate Art (called entartete Kunst in German) was a term used by the Nazi government in Germany. They used it to describe almost all modern art. The Nazis said this art was not truly German. They also claimed it was linked to Jewish people or communist ideas.
Artists labeled as "degenerate" faced harsh rules. They could not teach art. They were not allowed to show or sell their artwork. Some were even completely forbidden from creating any art at all.
The term Degenerate Art was also the name of a special art show. The Nazis organized this exhibition in Munich in 1937. They displayed modern artworks in a messy way. The labels next to the art made fun of it. The goal was to make people dislike modernism. This show then traveled to other cities in Germany and Austria.
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What Was Degenerate Art?
The Nazis had very strong ideas about what art should be. They believed art should be traditional and old-fashioned. They wanted art to celebrate Nazi beliefs. These beliefs included ideas about "blood and soil" (meaning racial purity and connection to the land). They also promoted militarism (strong military power) and obedience (following rules without question).
They did not like modern art styles. They thought modern art was confusing or ugly. They also disliked art that did not fit their political message.
Why Did the Nazis Ban Art?
The Nazi government wanted to control everything in Germany. This included art, music, and movies. They believed that art could influence people's thoughts. So, they used art to spread their own ideas.
They banned art they called "degenerate" because it did not fit their goals. They saw it as a threat to their power. They wanted all art to show their values and beliefs.
How Artists Were Punished
Artists who created "degenerate art" faced serious problems. The government stopped them from working. Their art was removed from museums and galleries. Some artists lost their jobs. Others were forced to leave Germany. It was a very difficult time for many creative people.
The "Degenerate Art" Exhibition
The "Degenerate Art" exhibition was a big event. It showed over 650 artworks. These works were taken from German museums. The Nazis displayed them in a way that made them look bad. They put insulting comments next to the art. This was meant to shock and anger visitors. The exhibition attracted many people. It was a way for the Nazis to show what they hated.
What Art Did the Nazis Like?
While modern art was banned, the Nazis promoted their own style of art. They liked paintings and sculptures that were very realistic. These artworks often showed strong, healthy German people. They also showed scenes of rural life or soldiers.
Music was also controlled. The Nazis wanted music to be tonal (having a clear key). They did not like jazz music. They thought jazz was "degenerate." Movies and plays were also censored. This means the government checked them and removed anything they did not like. The Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda was in charge of this censorship.
Images for kids
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The Magdeburg cenotaph, by Ernst Barlach. The Nazis called this "degenerate art" because the figures looked thin and "deformed."
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Albert Gleizes, 1912, Landscape near Paris. This painting went missing from Hannover in 1937.
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A poster for the "Degenerate Art" exhibition, Berlin, 1938.
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A letter from 1941 to artist Emil Nolde. It says his art is "degenerate" and forbids him from painting.
