About this artwork

This sculpture is the only wood carving by Barlach in a public collection in Britain. Although carved in 1936, it was given its allegorical title the following year in response to Hitler's notorious Degenerate 'Art' exhibition, in which Barlach was included. By the summer of 1937, nearly 400 of his works had been confiscated, through government action, from German museums. This work is typical of the figures Barlach sculpted: large, heavily robed figures alone or in pairs, symbolising an aspect of the human condition.

Updated before 2020

see media
  • artist:
    Ernst Barlach (1870 - 1938) German
  • title:
    Das schlimme Jahr 1937 [The Terrible Year 1937]
  • date created:
    1936
  • materials:
    Wood (oak)
  • measurements:
    142.00 x 31.00 x 28.50 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased with assistance from Art Fund (William Leng Bequest), 1987
  • accession number:
    GMA 3036
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • glossary:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Ernst Barlach

Ernst Barlach