On the solemn occasion of Yom HaShoah, World ORT is honored to launch a powerful educational resource born from the ashes of history: Art and the Holocaust.

Developed in collaboration with the Ghetto Fighters House Museum in Israel, this resource stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who suffered unimaginable horrors during one of humanity’s darkest chapters.

Available in English, Spanish, Russian and Hebrew, the site explores the art created by 30 individuals who were imprisoned in concentration camps during the Second World War and who painted and drew while incarcerated.

These works of art provide important documentary evidence, as well as an insight into camp life, the harsh treatment and the impact on the victims. It delves into the personal stories of these artists, revealing their artistic expression in unimaginable circumstances.

These artworks become windows into their hopes, fears and experiences within the camps. Through carefully curated biographies and a rich collection of artworks, the resource offers a glimpse into the lives and experiences of these remarkable individuals.

For most of the artists featured, only a few works survived, but in some cases many artworks were recovered after the war, hidden in walls or jars until liberation. The experience of the Holocaust so profoundly affected the surviving artists that it continued to dominate their work long after the war. For those who perished, their works are an enduring legacy of their lives and experiences.

Due to limited resources in the camps and ghettos, the works are mainly paintings or drawings on paper or cardboard but cover a wide range of subjects. The treatment of internees, the constant longing for food and shelter, the boredom, and the horror. Many works show a longing for the past, for a future and for peace, through depictions of nature and landscapes. But many of the works are portraits preserving the memory of those who lost their lives to the Nazi onslaught.

Charlotte Buresova, a talented Jewish artist who endured the horrors of the Terezin concentration camp, is among those featured on the site. Despite the brutality, Buresova used her art as a weapon against despair.

Buresova had a happy life developing her artistic skills before the Nazi occupation. Forced into Terezin, she found herself working for the Nazis, first painting roof tiles then later ordered to copy famous works in the camp’s artist workshop.

But Buresova created her own art in secret, capturing the artistic spirit of the camp through portraits, dancers and flowers. These works, in stark contrast to the suffering around them, offered a glimpse of beauty and hope.

Despite her artistic work, Buresova acknowledged her privileged position in the camp. She had a room, books and contact with friends, unlike many who suffered daily for their families. But the constant fear of deportation to unknown horrors remained a terrifying reality.

Buresova, along with a few others, managed to escape from Terezin a few days before the liberation. She returned to Prague and continued to create art, some of it inspired by her harrowing experiences.

This unique online resource is designed for educators, students, and the public. It aims to:

• Empower educators with new ways to teach about the Holocaust, sparking critical thinking and discussion
• Engage students with a personal and often overlooked aspect of the Holocaust, fostering empathy, and understanding
• Combat antisemitism and Holocaust denial by providing irrefutable evidence of the vibrant lives lost during this dark period
• Promote tolerance and respect through the power of art and individual stories

Join us on Yom HaShoah and beyond in exploring this new resource. Learn about these courageous artists and use their stories to inspire future generations to fight against prejudice and hatred.

As we commemorate Yom HaShoah, let us honor the memory of the millions who perished by bearing witness to their stories. Together, let us pledge to uphold the values of tolerance, compassion, and remembrance, ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never repeated.

https://holocaust-art.ort.org/