The Holt Festival in North Norfolk is set to host an intriguing exhibition titled German Expressionists & The Third Reich, featuring paintings that were once deemed “degenerate” by Hitler himself. Among the collection is a painting owned by Stephen Fry’s mother, Marianne, which holds a unique story of survival.
The painting was damaged when Marianne’s stepmother’s family fled Austria during the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria under the Nazis. Border guards, suspecting smuggling, stabbed the packing case with a bayonet, damaging the painting of a Dutch girl. Rather than repairing the painting, Marianne decided to keep it as a reminder of the aggression of the Anschluss.
Co-curator James Glennie highlights the popularity of the “degenerate” art that Hitler tried to ban, noting that more people attended exhibitions featuring such works than those approved by the dictator. The exhibition aims to provoke questions and discussions among visitors, challenging perceptions of art and history.
The exhibition, featuring graphic images of war and violence, opens on Saturday 13 July and runs until Sunday 27 July. Festival organizers recommend that children under 12 be accompanied by an adult. This unique collection of art promises to provide a thought-provoking experience for all who attend.
