Description

monochrome watercolour, signed with initials, dated and titled Dec 40, Douglas, lower left, 23 x 30cm (9 x 12 in), unframed with a commemorative panel, Zur Erinnerung von Deinen Freunden, depicting a youth breaking through a barbed-wire fence, above numerous signatures of inmates on the Isle of Man internment camp, 25 x 28cm (9 3/4 x 11 in), unframed Although most immigrants from enemy states were intially recognised as refugees and exiles, and of posing no threat to Britain, the mood changed in 1940 and increasing numbers, particularly those born in Germany and Austria, were sent to internment camps. The Isle of Man had already been used for this purpose during the First World War, so was readily adapted to it again. With relative freedom within the confines of the camp, but with very little to occupy them, internees soon began to organise cultural and educational events. Rather obviously, and very ironically, the vast majority were Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, amongst whom were many talented artists, musicians, composers film directors and academics, including the artists Ernst Eisenmayer, Ludwig Meidner, Kurt Schwitters, the pianist Erwin Weiss, the film maker Kurt Weiler, some of whose signatures appear among the 29 inscribed here.