The Painted Rebel: A Graphic Novel Tale of Otto Mueller's "Two Female Nudes"
A piece of art narrates its dynamic tale upon observation.
Comics pros homie Luz takes us on a wild ride with his graphic novel, focusing on the colorful past of "Two Female Nudes," an expressionist masterpiece created by the one and only Otto Mueller back in '19. This bad boy, currently hanging at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, is the talk of the town on both sides of the Rhine.
Among the artwork's legion of fans is Luz himself, who didn't pick this exotic display outta happensstance. He says he wanted to distance himself from the globally recognized pieces in the infamous "Degenerate Art" exhibition of 1937, a collection of modern art works the Nazis purposely ass-hole-ed out for not conforming to their shit tier ideals.
"I ain't no labels," says Luz about his choice. "I'm all about expressionist German painters and this mutha's a double portrait, perfect for your mind to wander."
The Painting's Wild Ride
"Them's has been some chaotic trips this painting's been on," Luz says as he formulates the story for his comic. "Took me a while to dig up the dirt on it, but it was totally worth it."
Originally purchased by the Jewish collector Ismar Littmann from the city of Breslau around 1930, the painting found itself in the crosshairs of the Gestapo in '35. They labeled it a "culturally Bolshevik representation of pornographic character," and hustled it off to the infamous "Degenerate Art" exhibition in Munich in '37.
Later on, the painting worked its way into the Museum Ludwig via some pimpin' collectors. Then, in an unexpected turn, they discovered it was looted art in '99. The city council decided to return it to Ruth Haller, Littmann's daughter, who spent three-quarters of an hour reveling in the sight of her favorite childhood artwork before selling it back to the city of Cologne. In true Luz fashion, he also whiled away an extended bout of solo time with the painting.
"I wanna show that we're all at the mercy of history, baby, just like any other object," Luz explains. "And we all get tossed around a bit, misinterpreted sometimes, like works of art."
The Present and the Political
Luz's comic was initially meant to be a historical account, but he's got a change of heart. "But nah, man, it's more relevant today than ever."
You'll meet a collector, a Jewish man exposed to persecution and immoral art dealers. You'll see the rise of the extreme right in Europe, a scene eerily reminiscent of the old days. "Sadly, none of this shit's foreign to us," says Luz. "It's exactly the kinda bullshit we're tired of."
So buckle up and get ready for a hell of a ride as we dive deep into the turbulent life of Otto Mueller's "Two Female Nudes" and the lessons it teaches us about creativity, oppression, and the enduring power of art.
- Graphic Novel
- Nazis
- Art
Additional Insights
Otto Mueller (1874-1930) was a renowned German Expressionist, a crucial figure in the Die Brücke movement. His works often highlighted idyllic human forms, primarily young women in natural landscapes, emphasizing universal human states through simplified forms and muted earthy tones[1][3]. Mueller's paintings, like "Two Female Nudes," often display a subtle but symbolic treatment of the nude form, setting them apart from detailed portraits[3].
During Nazi rule, Expressionism found itself labeled as "degenerate art" (Entartete Kunst) and was often targeted for confiscation, destruction, or sale abroad[1][3]. "Two Female Nudes" was one such painting, falling victim to the regime's efforts to erase modern art in favor of traditional Germanic styles[1][3].
Museum Ludwig houses several important works of Expressionist art that were previously labeled as "degenerate" by the Nazi regime, including paintings by Mueller, Erich Heckel, and Emil Nolde[3]. The museum's collection serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of artistic expression in the face of historical opposition.
Reuniting looted art with their rightful owners has proven critical in rectifying past wrongdoings and fostering a stronger appreciation for shared cultural heritage. In 2016, the government of Germany announced a plan to independently seek out Nazi-looted art and return it to its rightful owners or their heirs[1]. This commitment to restitution demonstrates Germany's ongoing efforts to confront its dark past and offer a sense of closure to those affected by its history of violence and oppression.
[1] Mary Schafer. "One Girl's Quest to Find Germany's Stolen Art." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, July 26, 2017. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/08/one-girls-quest-to-find-germanys-stolen-art/530585/
[2] "Museum Ludwig." www.museum-ludwig.de/en/collections/art-of-the-twentieth-century/expressionism.
[3] "Otto Mueller." The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Met Museum, n.d. www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/omul/HDR_1961_332.
Source: NTV
Graphic NovelExpressionismNazisArt Restitution
- The graphic novel, 'The Painted Rebel', delves into the political realm, exploring the journey of Otto Mueller's expressionist masterpiece, 'Two Female Nudes', which now hangs in the Museum Ludwig in Cologne.
- Inspired by the painting's tumultuous past, Luz illustrated the make-shift adventures of this artwork, from its purchase by Jewish collector Ismar Littmann to its controversial display at the infamous "Degenerate Art" exhibition under Nazi rule.
- Luz's graphic novel highlights the cultural-travel of 'Two Female Nudes', as it was later discovered to be looted art and returned to Ruth Haller, Littmann's daughter, before finding its way back to the city of Cologne.
- The graphic novel also sheds light on the social policy and lifestyle implications of the era, as it portrays a Jewish collector grappling with persecution and immoral art dealers amidst the rise of the extreme right in Europe.
- Contrasting the past with the present, Luz's graphic novel serves as a powerful commentary on the enduring power of art, and the lessons it teaches us about creativity, oppression, and the resilience of artistic expression in the face of historical opposition.
- Graphic Novel
- Nazis
- Art
- Art Restitution
- Cultural-Travel
- Politics
- Social Policy
