„Exotische Kunst“ – Undurchsichtige Geschäfte 1934-1945

Abstract

Due to innovative exhibition concepts in Budapest, Hagen and Prague, German art dealers presented since 1913 non-European art from Africa and Oceania in a dialogue with modern art and they benefited from a close network to Paris dealers. In 1937, the “degenerate art” campaign ended the dialogue between modern art and non-European art, while the trade in ethnographical objects was not restricted. Many gallery owners and collectors, who had advocated for a market reception of modern art in dialogue with non-European art, emigrated. Other market participants tried to succeed on an art market which was characterized by emigration, denunciation and opportunism on the verge of collaboration. While at auctions in Germany and Austria relatively few objects from Africa and Oceania were sold, hammer prices at Paris auctions during the time of German occupation were considerable. The confiscation of Jewish collections by Gestapo, Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) and the Gestapo’s Administration Office for Jewish Relocation Goods (Verwaltungsstelle für jüdisches Umzugsgut, briefly “Vugesta”) raises questions about exploitation of Jewish property.