DEGENERATE ART Meaning and
Definition
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Degenerate art refers to a term that was extensively used by the Nazi regime in Germany during the 1930s to categorize and condemn various forms of modern art, primarily those that were deemed as socially or politically subversive and inconsistent with Nazi ideals. The term "degenerate art" (in German, Entartete Kunst) was coined to label artistic works that were considered degenerate, corrupt, or against traditional artistic standards and values.
Under the Nazi regime, this term was employed to justify the suppression, censorship, and removal of artworks from public spaces, museums, and galleries. Forms of art that fell under the scope of degenerate art included abstract art, expressionism, cubism, Dadaism, and various other avant-garde movements, which were perceived as threatening to the dominant ideology and cultural norms. Artists associated with these movements were persecuted, their works confiscated, and some were prohibited from practicing art altogether.
The concept of degenerate art also served as a tool for the Nazi regime to propagate their racial and ideological beliefs, as they claimed that modern art reflected the decline of German society due to degeneracy, foreign influence, and cultural decay. By scapegoating these artworks and artists, the regime sought to mold public perception, control artistic expression, and shape the cultural landscape according to their Nazi ideology.
Despite the initial intentions behind labeling art as degenerate, the term and the actions associated with it have been widely discredited and condemned, highlighting the importance of maintaining artistic freedom and pluralism in society. Today, the concept of degenerate art stands as a stark reminder of the dangers and implications of ideological control over artistic expression.
Etymology of DEGENERATE ART
The term "degenerate art" originates from the German phrase "Entartete Kunst". It was coined in the early 20th century by the Nazi regime in Germany. "Entartete" means degenerate or distorted, and "Kunst" means art. The Nazi government used the term to classify and denigrate various modern art styles and artists that did not align with their ideological and aesthetic standards. Under the Third Reich, the showcased art that fell under this category was subject to confiscation, ridicule, and removal from museums, while the artists often faced persecution and censorship.
