ENTARTETE Meaning and
Definition
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"Entartete" is a German term that translates to "degenerate" in English. Historically, it gained prominence during the Nazi regime in Germany, specifically during the 1930s and 1940s. The term was used by the Nazi government and its leaders to condemn and categorize forms of art that they considered deviant, subversive, or undermining traditional values. “Entartete Kunst,” or "degenerate art," primarily referred to modern art movements that included Expressionism, Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism, as well as works by Jewish and other marginalized artists.
The concept of "entartete" was part of the broader strategy pursued by the Nazis to control and manipulate cultural production, targeting art forms that challenged their ideological principles. The labeling of artwork as "entartete Kunst" led to the confiscation of numerous artworks from museums and galleries across Germany, resulting in exhibitions aimed at denigrating these pieces and promoting the approved art endorsed by the Nazis.
The term "entartete" carries a stigmatizing connotation, emphasizing the Nazi view that these art forms were corrupted, impure, and unaligned with their vision of Aryan superiority. However, it is important to note that the label was arbitrary and subjective—based solely on the ideology and prejudices of the Nazi regime. Today, the term is primarily used in historical contexts to describe the Nazi suppression of artistic freedom and serves as a reminder of the dangers of censorship and political control over creative expression.
Etymology of ENTARTETE
The word "entartete" is derived from the German language, specifically from the adjective "entarten".
The term "entartet" in German literally means "degenerate" or "degenerated". It was primarily used during the Nazi regime in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s to describe art that was considered "degenerate" or morally corrupt. The Nazi government heavily opposed and condemned modern art forms such as abstract, expressionist, and other non-conventional artistic styles, labeling them as "entartete Kunst" or "degenerate art".
The concept behind the term was deeply rooted in the Nazi ideology of promoting traditionalist and nationalistic values while condemning anything that deviated from their perceived cultural norms. The term "entartete Kunst" was used as a tool to discriminate against and suppress artists, resulting in the censorship, confiscation, and destruction of countless artworks.
