KLEE PAUL: (1879-1940) Swiss-born German artist. A.L.S., Klee, four pages, 8vo, Dusseldorf, 9^th December 1933, to Doctor [Alois] Schardt, in German. Klee writes to the art historian Schardt, who had recently been dismissed from his post at the National Gallery in Berlin, and comments 'Now, with your departure, the best pillar shifts from its position and with it goes the last hope. One would have to ask: what will the art that is so hotly sponsored by the state look like? Would not art be better off without the state?', continuing to list a number of his paintings, including Phantastische Flora and Vorspiel zu Golgatha, and enquiring as to their whereabouts, before concluding 'Please write to me pretty soon; I'm getting ready to leave'. Together with Lily Klee (1876-1946) German piano teacher and chamber musician, wife of Paul Klee from 1906. Three A.Ls.S., one also signed on behalf of her husband, seven pages (total), various sizes, Dusseldorf and Bern, 1933-35, also to Professor Schardt, in German. In one letter, dated 10^th December 1933 (the day following her husband's), Lily Klee writes 'Why has an artist like Klee, a man of such strong creative force, of such pure character and convictions, of such creative teaching work fallen into total disgrace in the new Germany? Why has he been deleted from all public work, he, the artist who, in his visionary views and his soul steeped in music, is the strongest representative of German-ness? He, who stood and stands entirely outside of the political sphere; who has made it solely through his oeuvre and his tireless work, in the purist fashion and without ever compromising or taking advantage of a connection. What influence was at work to expel one of the best German personalities from the ranks of creative minds? And wasn't there anybody who enlightened those in leading positions? Even his international reputation has been turned into an accusation…..His contract, good yet for years, has been cancelled. He is forbidden to teach and to have exhibitions…..Klee himself stands above all these goings-on; it is as if he were on a different plain where things cannot reach him; because he keeps working to spite all enemy forces'. A find group of letters with excellent content. Two small file holes to the edges of each of the pages, not affecting the text or signatures. VG, 4

 

Alois Schardt (1889-1955) German art historian and museum director who was censored by the Nazi Party and forced from his position at the National Gallery in Berlin in 1933 due to his inclusion of Impressionist works that were not considered sufficiently Aryan.