Else Berg

Else Berg
Self-portrait (1917)
Born (1877-02-19)19 February 1877
Racibórz, Poland (then Prussia)
Died 19 November 1942(1942-11-19) (aged 65)
Oświęcim, Poland
Nationality Dutch
Education Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Berlin University of the Arts
Known for Painting
Movement Bergense School
Spouse(s) Mommie Schwarz

Else Berg (19 February 1877, Ratibor - 19 November 1942, Auschwitz) was a German-born Dutch painter of Jewish descent; associated with the Bergense School. She was married to the Dutch painter, Mommie Schwarz.

Portrait of Else Berg, 1913, by Leo Gestel

Biography

Self-portrait with Brushes (1929)

Her family was originally from Prussia, but moved East in an attempt to improve their circumstances. Her father was a Liberal Jew and owned a cigar factory. In 1895, she began her studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Five years later, with the financial support of her parents, she continued at the Berlin University of the Arts,[1] where she studied with Arthur Kampf. According to some sources, she also studied in Paris.

In 1905, she met Mommie Schwarz, who had recently returned from New York and had come to Berlin to study German Expressionism. They went to Paris together to have a look at the latest artistic trends there. The following year, they settled in Amsterdam and became part of the Modern Art movement. For many years, they travelled together, although they kept separate studios. In 1920 they were married and, four years later, she became a naturalized Dutch citizen.[2]

Despite financial difficulties, they continued to travel throughout Eastern Europe, Italy and France. They also had an extended stay on Mallorca, with Leo Gestel and his wife, where they took up Cubism.[2] As the Nazis came to power, many of their friends and family left for England or the United States.

Initially, they felt safe in Amsterdam, but they refused to wear the "Yellow Badge" when it became mandatory and went into hiding in Baambrugge. They were apparently betrayed. In November 1942 they were arrested and sent to Auschwitz, where they were put to death shortly after their arrival.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Profile @ the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie
  2. 1 2 3 Brief biography @ Schilderijen Site.

Further reading

  • Linda Horn, Else Berg en Mommie Schwarz, kunstenaarspaar in Amsterdam 1910-1942, Uitgeverij De Kunst, 2011 ISBN 94-911961-8-9
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.