Art Hist In-Person: Art and the Holocaust

The Role of Art in the Holocaust
Three In-Person Sessions
Mon., Sept. 9, 16, 23, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

All art lovers know art is powerful. Here’s a course that demonstrates that power in surprising ways. Consider these questions: Did art play a role in one of the world’s worst atrocities? If so, how? And could art help heal the horrific wounds from that atrocity? Join longtime educator and Holocaust researcher Primus Russell as he paints an illuminating picture of art both before and after the Holocaust.

First, explore the role of art in Nazi Germany that led to the Holocaust, and how Nazi poster art, film, symbols and labeling art as degenerate fostered dangerous stereotypes of Jews and German citizens. “In this part of the course, I like to have students spend time closely examining the Nazi art and how the Nazis used it,” Russell says.

After understanding Nazi logic and the systematic government structure of Nazi Germany, Russell switches his focus and moves to the art of victims and survivors. Here, students consider how art was used to chronicle the life of victims, how art was used as a tool for healing, how to interpret what artists are portraying, and provenance of art and books recovered today. Please note, this course allows plenty of time for group discussions, questions and answers, and virtual gallery tours.

Primus Russell has taught art in public schools for over 30 years. He says that learning about Alfred Kantor, a Nazi death camp prisoner, led to years of study and two trips to Israel for research on the Holocaust. He adds that teaching Holocaust art is his life’s passion.