Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Säuberung des Kunsttempels: Eine kunstpolitische Kampfschrift zur Gesundung deutscher Kunst im Geiste nordischer Art (Cleansing of the Temple of Art: An Art-Poitical Polemic for the Recovery of German Art in the Nordic Spirit)

München: J. F. Lehmanns, 1938. Second edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 179 (4)pp. Original illustrated dustjacket over orange cloth with black publisher's device and lettering on cover, black lettering on spine. Vignette and publisher's device on title page. A polemic advocating for the recovery of German art in the Nordic spirit. The magazine of the NS Culture Community "Kunst und Volk" wrote: "It is a polemic, that sums up the cultural decay in individual statements as well as its tendencies and tries to help in the recovery of art through elucidation and the appeal to the sense of responsibility of the people. This task is accomplished in a thorough manner: documents and facts speak of particularly indecent and unprecedented blotted attitudes..."

Willrich was a German artist and writer and is considered one of the most fanatic advocates of National Socialist art politics. The inflammatory pamphlet became one of the important guidelines for the strategy and design of the infamous exhibition "Degenerate Art." When Willrich viciously attacked the German poet Gottfried Benn even Heinrich Himmler reprimanded Willrich in September 1937. Himmler conceded that he appreciated Willrich's commitment against "Degenerate Art" but warned Willrich not to run amok and let this commitment become his purpose of life. Profusely illustrated with sixty-four b/w in-text reproductions of artwork, featuring the acting "culprits" of what was to be termed "Degenerate Art," George Groß, Schmidt-Rotluff, Otto Dix, Max Ernst, Molzahn, Paul Klee, etc. and their agents, the Gallery Nierendorf, Hans Goltz, the Berlin Secession and the Bolshevik agitation. Laid in 1964 Süddeutsche Zeitung article on Paul Westheim and "Das Kunstblatt."

Text in German, Gothic script. DJ with small and one two by half an inch chip and some creasing along edges. Binding with light wear and minor discoloration at bottom edge. Initials KJH (K. Jakob Hirsch) with references to Hirsch being mentioned in the book, on front free endpaper in red ink. Five pages with Hirsch references underlined in red, pointing to Hirsch's work for various progressive magazines, e.g. Die Aktion, Der rote Hahn, etc.. Some light foxing here. Very lightly starting at title page. Small ink spot on back free endpaper and back dj flap. Block lightly age-toned. DJ in overall good-, binding and interior in good+ to very good condition. g- to vg. Item #48311

Price: $475.00

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