Thread: Otto Freundlich (1878-1943) was a German painter who was one of the first Abstract artists. His use of colour & form was some of the most exciting art of the time. His work was targeted by the Nazis & he was murdered by them on this day. 
He was born in Prussia & was of Jewish origin & studied dentistry before switching to art. He moved to Paris in 1908 & lived beside Picasso & Braque. He believed in a Cosmic Communism which was about an all encompassing universalism. Bust of a Woman (1910) & Composition (1911)
In 1914 he returned to Germany during WWI & became a member of the November Group. Freundlich was fascinated with scientific research & this informed his art. Head (1916)
He organised the first Dada exhibit in Cologne with Ernst & Johannes Baargeld. He was constantly aware of new art movements. Composition (1919), Cosmic Rainbow (1922), Self-Portrait (1923) & The Mother (1921)
By 1925 he joined the Abstraction-Création Group. About this time he moved to France. Spherical Body (1925), Ascension (1929)
With the rise of the Far Right the Nazis condemned his work as degenerate & removed it from display. His sculpture ‘Der Neue Mensch’ (in fact it was his Großer Kopf) was used as the cover photo for the infamous Nazi Entartete Kunst exhibit. Composition (1930, 1933, 1931 & 1930)
The Nazi exhibit catalogue for Entartete Kunst with Freundlich’s Large Head sculpture (1912). Composition (c1930). The Far Right sought to destroy freedom of expression & saw modern art as a dangerous part of that.
Some of his most vibrant work dates from the 30s. I love his colour choices. Composition (c1931), Composition (1930), Abstract Composition (1930) & My Red Heaven (1933)
His work was to be experienced rather than to be looked at as a narrative. It’s to be considered in the same way as a piece of music. Composition (1936), Composition in Black & White (1936), Composition (1938) & Untitled (1938)
Even as the evil of the Nazis surged ahead in his native land Freundlich continued to create joyous images of extravagant forms & colours. Composition (1938), Composition (1936), Composition (1936) & Composition (c1930s)
As the years progressed his work became more sophisticated & complex. Composition (1936), Composition (1939) & Composition (1940)
When WWII broke out he was interned by the French but released due to the intercession of his friend Picasso. Rosace II (1941), Green-Red (1939), Composition (1940)
In 1943 he was arrested again & sent to Majdanek Concentration Camp (pics), where he was murdered on his arrival 78 years ago, today.
His work, however, survives.
His work, however, survives.
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