Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
Artist
What place of birth or nationality and for what kind of artwork is she known for?
Freidl-Dicker Brandeis was born in Vienna, Austria on July 30, 1898. Brandeis was born into a poor, Jewish family, during the Holocaust. She was known for interior, textile, theater design.
Artwork by Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
Untitled
Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
at work
Artwork by Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
Tulips
What were you able to discover about the artist's family or childhood?
Her mother died in 1902 and her father was a shop-assistant. She was married and she changed her last name to Brandeisova. Friedl- Dicker was sent to numerous concentration camps, including one in Terezin, where she taught art to many of the children. When she was sent to the concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau, she was murdered by the Nazis.
How have experts described this artist's most important style of work?
Her most important style of work was described by experts as being overshadowed by her biography. Experts say that her modern design skills are some of the best ever seen. Her contributions to painting and modern design, experts say, are just as important as her courage in being a mother and teacher to those students in the concentration camps.
Artwork by Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
Interrogation I
Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
Artwork by Friedl-Dicker Brandeis
Interrogation II
Did the artist work in more than one style? If so, how have experts described the other styles?
Friedl-Dicker Brandeis worked in many styles of art. She did not sign numerous amounts of artwork of her own. She did not want to teach the children in the concentration camps how to draw, she wanted to teach them how to let their mind flow out like a river and just draw.
What kind of education did the artist receive in art or other subjects?
Friedl-Dicker Brandeis received education at the School of Arts and Crafts, where she was taught by Professor Franz Cizek. She was also taught by instructor, Johannes Itten. She joined Johannes Itten's private school in 1916. Brandeis took a harmony course at Arnold Schoenberg's school. She studied in Weimar Bauhaus until 1923. Quickly, Friedl-Dicker mastered weaving. She and Franz Singer created the "Workshops of Fine Art" in Berlin. Her career as being an educator started in 1931 when Vienna asked her to give an art course to kindergarten teachers.
Weaving
Franz Singer
Kindergarten
She taught an art course to kindergarten teachers.
What other events, circumstances or influences were important in the artist's development?
Her mother died when she was young, so it influenced her on helping the children in the concentration camps by teaching them art and acting like a mother to them. Because of her mother's death, there was a mental trauma in Friedl's life.
Describe some of the most accomplishments of this artist.
Friedl-Dicker Brandeis was known as an artist, teacher, and a positive person. Many of her students looked up to her and thought of her as a mother. Many survivors of the Holocaust say that she was "the mystery of beauty" and "the mystery of freedom."
Paints
Representation: she was an artist
Apple
Representation: she was a teacher
Smiley Face
Representation: she was positive
What did you find most interesting about this artist's life or work? Why?
I thought it was interesting that she destroyed many of her own artworks because she had a lack of self confidence. This was interesting to me because she did not feel as though her artworks were good, when really she was just doubting herself. You should always feel confident in yourself because you are the one and only YOU.