Berlin Exhibition Displays 'Degenerate Art' Sculptures Recovered from World War II Bomb Debris

Sayart

sayart2022@gmail.com | 2025-10-14 22:33:23

More than a dozen sculptures once confiscated by the Nazi regime and classified as "degenerate art" have been rediscovered in Berlin's bomb debris and are now being displayed in a new exhibition. The artworks, which were buried under rubble from World War II bombing, were found during construction work in 2010 and are finally being showcased to the public after 15 years.

The recovered pieces include notable works such as Naum Slutzky's "Female Bust," which was among the sculptures unearthed during the excavation work. These artworks represent a significant part of the cultural heritage that the Nazi regime attempted to destroy or suppress during their campaign against modern art forms they deemed unacceptable.

The exhibition is currently running at Berlin's new Archaeological House Petri, marking an important moment in art history recovery. The sculptures had remained hidden beneath the city's war-torn landscape for decades before construction crews accidentally discovered them during building excavations in the German capital.

The display of these recovered artworks serves as both a historical reminder of the Nazi regime's cultural suppression and a celebration of artistic resilience. The pieces that survived the war and subsequent burial under debris now stand as testament to the enduring value of artistic expression that authoritarian regimes sought to eliminate.

WEEKLY HOT