Through a Narrow Window: Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and Her Terezí­n Students

by Linney Wix

Not long after the end of World War II, two suitcases from Terez n, the so-called model ghetto designed by the Nazi propaganda machine to showcase creative endeavors, were delivered to members of what remained of the Jewish community of Prague. The contents of the suitcases included children's drawings, paintings, and collages made at Terez n thanks to the efforts of a teacher interned there. Rediscovered in the 1950s, the pictures, by then housed at the Jewish Museum in Prague, were exhibited, and over time some were published. Friedl Dicker-Brandeis was the remarkable woman who taught art to many of Terez n's children before she was killed at Auschwitz. While she has been valorized for her heroic efforts as a teacher, her approach to teaching art has remained unexamined.

This book and the accompanying exhibition, curated by Linney Wix at the University of New Mexico Art Museum, offer a closer look at the methods and philosophy of Dicker-Brandeis's teaching, the history behind her approach, and its possible psychological effects on the children she taught. The book includes biographical and art historical information on Dicker-Brandeis, and sheds light on her roles as an artist, teacher, and heroine behind Nazi lines in the Second World War.

"Published in cooperation with the University of New Mexico Art Museum."

166 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2010

Reviews

[Kristenyque · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an inspiring story. Despite her circumstances and Nazi control her determination and spirit were never confined. I feel very lucky that I was able to see the art that was featured in the book.

[ChrissieP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an exquisite tribute to the artist and teacher, Freidl Dicker- Brandeis. We are introduced to her philosophy of aesthetic empathy and how it inspired her own art as well as her teaching of children. It is so moving to realize that in-spite of the horrific conditions within Terezin, Freidl maintained a commitment to the beauty of artistic creativity for herself and for her students.

[Juliette]

Linney Wix was one of my professors and my mentor in the graduate program I completed in 2009. I learned a lot from Dr. Wix about Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and her amazing story. It's truly an honor to be able to read this book and experience the companion exhibition at The University of New Mexico's Art Museum. I will update this review when I finish the book, but will add that it is both a beautiful coffee table book and an extensive examination of the life, work, and legacy of Dicker-Brandeis.