Drawing by Karl Schwesig satirizing the embrace of Fascism in France
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 10.625 inches (26.988 cm) | Width: 14.125 inches (35.878 cm)
Creator(s)
- Karl Schwesig (Subject)
- Karl Schwesig (Artist)
Biographical History
Karl Schwesig was born on June 19, 1898, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. His father was a miner. From 1916 to 1918, Schwesig served in the German Army during the First World War (1914-1918). In 1918, Schwesig began studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Dusseldorf. In 1921, he left the conservative academy and joined the Junge Rhineland artist group. In 1924, Schwesig cofounded the satirical magazine Die Peitsche (The Whip). The right wing Nazi Party was growing rapidly in popularity duirng the 1920s and Schwesig was an outspoken anti-Nazi. He joined the Communist Party in the late 1920’s. Hitler came to power in Germany in January 1933 and the country was soon ruled by a Nazi dictatorship. On July 11, 1933, Schwesig was arrested for his anti-Nazi commentary. He was detained by the SA and interrogated for the names of colleagues who also resisted the Nazis. He was sent to Ulmer Höhe prison in Dusseldorf. In 1934, he was convicted of treason and served his sentence in Bendahl prison in Wuppertal. After his release on November 18, 1934, Schwesig was granted political asylum in Belgium and lived in Antwerp. In 1937, his German citizenship was revoked and his property in Germany was confiscated by the Nazi regime. On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded Belgium. Schwesig was arrested and deported to St. Cyprien internment camp in Vichy France. In October, he was moved to Gurs internment camp after St. Cyprien was destroyed by flooding. In February 1941, he was transferred to Noé internment camp. In March 1943, he was sent to Nexon internment camp and classified as a politcal prisoner. In June, Schwesig was sent to Fort Romainville prison in Paris and in July to Ulmer Höhe prison in Dusseldorf. Throughout his imprisonment, Schwesig drew images of daily life in the camps. Schwesig was liberated in Ulmer Höhe after American forces captured Dusseldorf on April 17, 1945. The war ended when Germany surrendered on May 7. Schwesig stayed in Dusseldorf. He died, age 57, in 1955.
Archival History
The drawing was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Scope and Content
Drawing created by Karl Schwesig that was part of a series of 9 drawings entitled "Rosenmontag" representing early anti-Nazi satiric material. The image shows a Nazi military officer with arms outstretched standing on a platform (float?) with wheels beckoning to another man in formal attire and saying, "Komm in meine Liebeslauber." A cave labeled "I Solierzelle" and surrounded by tanks, guns, and soldiers is in the background. A sign to the left of the float says, "Heil Csar! Nieder Mit Uns Franzos."
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Drawing in ink on paper depicting two men talking in front of a cave concealing weapons on a large rectangular float with 2 wheels. A man in a suit stands at the front of the float, holding a top hat and briefcase. He has a wrinkled face and large nose. He is looking behind him at a uniformed Nazi officer. The officer is standing with his arms raised in front of him, saying “Komm in meine Liebeslaube in meine”. Behind the officer is a dark cave surrounded by plants, with the text Isolierzelle above. A large dove wearing a swastika medallion is chained on top of the plants. There are 3 soldiers with guns around the plants and a tank behind it. To the left of the float is a sign with the text “HEIL CSAR! NIEDER MIT UNS FRANZOS”, and 4 marching figures wearing hoods with skeletal faces. They are carrying guns over their shoulders. The artwork title is written on the sides of the float. There is white paint over the text next to the officer and on the man in the suit’s face. The paper is burned on the left.
front, lower center, pencil : Als front, upper left corner, red pencil : VI. front, lower left corner, pencil: L sp back, upper center, red pencil : VI. back, lower left corner, stamped, black ink : Nachlaß Karl Schwesig [Estate Karl Schwesig]
People
- Schwesig, Karl, 1898-1955.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, German.
- Artists--Germany--Biography.
- Anti-Nazi movement in art.
- Political prisoners--France--Biography.
- Political refugees--France.
Genre
- Art
- Object