David Friedmann
Timeline - Artist as Witness
1893
Born December 20, in Mährisch Ostrau, Austria (today Ostrava, Czech Republic). Raised in a modest home with two brothers and a sister. Early interest in art and violin playing. After finishing school, worked with a master sign painter for three years and received a certificate of apprenticeship.
1911
At the age of 17, ventured to Berlin. Initially worked as a sign painter, later as a painter for the theater (scenery design). Studied art with Leo Kober and at the school of Lewin-Funcke.
1914
His artistic talent is discovered. Advised by Max Liebermann to study further with Lovis Corinth and was invited to his master class. Studied with renowned etcher Hermann Struck (1912-1914). Opened studio at Xantener Str. 23, the same apartment house as Felix Nussbaum. Whether the two artists knew each other is unknown.
1917 - 1918
Served as an artist in the Austro-Hungarian army on the Russian Front in World War I. Sketched combat scenes and portraits of soldiers distinguishing themselves in battle and was decorated for his bravery. Returned to Berlin and his studio, producing paintings, drawings, etchings, and lithographs. With the establishment of Czechoslovakia, he automatically became a Czech citizen.
1919 - 1933
Exhibitions at the Akademie der Künste, Secession, Juryfreie, in Berlin, Breslau, Dresden, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and other cities. Became renowned for his portraits drawn from real life. This talent played a central role throughout his career and saved his life during the Holocaust. In 1921, he studied violin with Richard Hartzer, under the direction of Carl Flesch. He joined the Freemasons, St. Johannisloge “Germania zur Einigkeit” from January 26, 1922 until the closing down of the lodges by the German Reich. Portrayed most of the members.
1923 - 1933
Free-lance artist for Ullstein-Verlag, Der Deutsche Rundfunk, and other publications;
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Portrayed hundreds of famous contemporary personalities, including portfolio editions of world chess champions: "Das Schachmeister Tournier in Mährisch Ostrau, Juli 1923" and "Köpfe berühmter Schachmeister".
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They were among the great chess masters of Europe until Hitler came to power in 1933.
1933
Jewish work prohibition. Ordered to remove art from galleries; forbidden to work as an artist and closed his studio. Built a successful business renovating buildings, which was permitted because of his Czech citizenship.
1937
Married Mathilde Fuchs, daughter of philologist Prof. Dr. Maximillian Fuchs.
1938
In September, the birth of daughter Mirjam Helene. In December, fled to Prague leaving behind his art collection, which was confiscated by the Gestapo in 1942 and never recovered: Lost Art Internet Database. Once again he enjoyed painting for himself and working as an artist. In 1940-1941 he produced portraits of the leading Zionists, governing officials of the Palestine Office and the Jewish Community of Prague.
Mathilde, Mirjam Helene, and David Friedmann
Prague, February 7, 1940
1941
October 16, deported with his family on the first transport “A” from Prague to the Lodz Ghetto (Litzmannstadt). The new art production was confiscated.
1941 - 1944
In Lodz Ghetto he worked in Metall II as designer of jewelry, cigarette cases, and badges for doctors and firefighters. He painted scenes of his family, documented work in the factories and the infernal life of the Ghetto. Produced portraits of the leaders in exchange for provisions; otherwise, they would have perished. He kept a diary and wrote poetry. Contributor to “The Chronicle of the Lodz Ghetto 1941-1944”. His art, his diary was lost.
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Photos of 1943 drawings of a Ghetto hat-manufacturing workshop found in the State Archive in Lodz
1944
End of August, liquidation of Ghetto and deportation to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Loss of wife and child. Loss of works produced in the Ghetto. Transport to Concentration Camp Gleiwitz I; Survived primarily as an artist by the whims of the SS.
1945
Death March to Concentration Camp Blechhammer, Oberschlesien; liberated January 25. Made his way to Krakau, Ostrava, and Prague. Began series of drawings and paintings depicting his experiences in the Ghetto and concentration camps. Exhibitions followed in Palestine, Prague, and several towns in the former Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. Intrigued by the region, in 1946-47 he painted the series, “Life of the Coalmine Workers of Habartov."
1948
Marriage to Hildegard Taussig, survivor of the Theresienstadt Ghetto, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Christianstadt Concentration Camps. Daughter of chemical engineer Karl Taussig. Hildegard Taussig's Holocaust Timeline.
1949
In July, fled Communist Czechoslovakia to Israel, managing to deceive officials and save his series of Holocaust art.
1950
Birth of daughter Miriam in Israel.
1954
Arrived in New York City in November. Began new career painting huge billboards for General Outdoor Advertising CO. Transferred by GOA to Chicago, Illinois and then finally, to St. Louis, Missouri in 1956.
1960
American citizen. Dropped the second “n” from Friedmann.
1962
Retired from GOA at the age of 68. Worked passionately and relentlessly to create the scenes he could not erase from his memory. This new cycle of Holocaust art is entitled, “Because They Were Jews!”. Simultaneously he produced, “Enjoyment in Libraries with the Candid Pencil of David Friedman”. Exhibitions followed. Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY
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"Liberation?" (Charcoal, 1964)
A drawing from the series, "Because They Were Jews!"
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Hildegard Taussig Friedman: Prisoner No. A-4622
David Friedman: Prisoner No. B-8600
Photo by Bob Holt: St. Louis, Missouri, 1961
1980
Died February 27, St. Louis, Missouri.
The works of David Friedman are represented in the permanent collections of the Holocaust History Museum, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem; Beit Terezin, Givat Haim Ihud, Israel; United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C.; St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center; St. Louis Public Library; Finkelstein Memorial Library, NY; State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland; Jewish Museum Prague; Ostrava Museum; Sokolov Regional Museum, Czech Republic; New Synagogue Berlin - Centrum Judaicum, Germany; and the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, National Library of the Netherlands.
Self-Portrait of the Artist David Friedman, 1967
St. Louis, Missouri
Biography of David Friedmann (1893-1980)
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Theresienstadt Martyrs Rememberance Assocoiation (page 10) (PDF)
Stolpersteine Paderborner Str. 9
Lost portraits of famous chess masters including work by Friedman:
Miriam Friedman Morris
MiriFM@aol.com
David Friedman Collection
Copyright © 1989-2007 Miriam Friedman Morris
All rights reserved