Düsseldorf: Julo Levin Collection Joins UNESCO World Heritage List
Julo Levin’s Collection of Children’s drawings Added too UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register
Table of Contents
- Julo Levin’s Collection of Children’s drawings Added too UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register
- Julo Levin’s Collection: A Glimpse into a Lost World
- What is the Julo Levin Collection?
- Who was julo Levin?
- Where did Julo Levin Teach?
- Why did Julo Levin collect these drawings?
- What happened to Julo Levin?
- What is the “Memory of the World” register?
- How was the Julo Levin Collection recognized by UNESCO?
- Where can I see the Julo Levin Collection?
- How was the Julo Levin Collection preserved?
- Where did the City Museum acquire the works?
- Key Facts about the Julo Levin Collection
A collection of approximately 1,900 children’s drawings amassed by painter and teacher Julo Levin between 1936 and 1941 has been added to UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register.The drawings, largely created by students in Düsseldorf and Berlin Jewish schools, offer a poignant glimpse into german-Jewish life during the rise of National Socialism.
Levin’s Work and Collection
Julo Levin, born in 1901, was a freelance artist and member of the “Das Junge Rheinland” artist group. after the National Socialists seized power in 1933, he, being Jewish, was barred from artistic endeavors and began working as a drawing teacher in 1936. He taught at the kaliski School, the Holdheim School, the Theodor Herzl School, and the private higher school of the Jewish cultural association, all located in Berlin. His collection includes works from these schools, a Düsseldorf Jewish kindergarten, his hometown of Stettin, and drawings of unknown origin.
Levin’s interest in collecting the drawings stemmed from both artistic and art education perspectives. The collection serves as a past record of German-Jewish experiences during a dark period.
Tragedy and Preservation
In 1938, Levin relocated to berlin. Following the closure of the Jewish school system in 1941 and 1942, the Gestapo forced Levin into labor. He was deported to Auschwitz in 1943 and murdered.
UNESCO recognition
The Julo Levin collection is now part of an international compilation titled “Drawings of children and adolescents of the 20th century in war and peace (1914 – 1950).” This larger collection also includes holdings from the Jewish Museum Prague, the French National Library, and the Pestalozzian Zurich. The French UNESCO commission nominated the collection,receiving support from numerous national commissions.
The “Memory of the World” register, established in 1992, aims to safeguard and promote access to documentary heritage of worldwide value.
Acquisition and availability
The City Museum has acquired works from various sources since the 1980s. Carl Lauterbach (1906-1991), a friend of levin’s, received a portion of the collection. In 1939, Levin’s sister, Else, took a small selection with her when she emigrated to England. Mieke Monjau (1903-1997), a close friend, safeguarded the majority of the collection in the months leading up to Levin’s deportation.
Selected drawings from the collection are on display at the City Museum alongside works by Julo Levin.The collection can also be viewed online.
Julo Levin’s Collection: A Glimpse into a Lost World
What is the Julo Levin Collection?
The Julo Levin Collection comprises approximately 1,900 children’s drawings. These drawings were created by students in Düsseldorf and berlin Jewish schools between 1936 and 1941. Now added to UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register, it offers a powerful outlook on Jewish life in Germany when National Socialism was rising.
Who was julo Levin?
Julo Levin was born in 1901. He was a freelance artist and a member of the “Das Junge Rheinland” artist group. After the National Socialists came to power in 1933, Levin, who was jewish, was prohibited from artistic endeavors. He then began working as a drawing teacher in 1936.
Where did Julo Levin Teach?
levin taught at the following schools in Berlin:
- Kaliski School
- Holdheim School
- Theodor Herzl School
- Private Higher School of the Jewish cultural association
His collection also includes drawings from a Düsseldorf Jewish kindergarten, the city of stettin, and some of unknown origin.
Why did Julo Levin collect these drawings?
levin’s interest in collecting the drawings stemmed from both artistic and art education perspectives. The collection’s purpose was to document German-Jewish experiences during a challenging time in history.
What happened to Julo Levin?
In 1938,Levin moved to Berlin.In 1941 and 1942, the Jewish school system closed, and the Gestapo forced Levin into labor. He was deported to Auschwitz in 1943 and murdered.
What is the “Memory of the World” register?
The “Memory of the World” register,established in 1992 by UNESCO,aims to protect and provide access to documentary heritage of global importance.
How was the Julo Levin Collection recognized by UNESCO?
The Julo Levin collection is part of a larger international compilation titled “Drawings of children and adolescents of the 20th century in war and peace (1914 – 1950).” The French UNESCO commission nominated the collection, and it received support from numerous national commissions, leading to its inclusion in the “Memory of the World” register.
Where can I see the Julo Levin Collection?
Selected drawings from the collection are on display at the City Museum. The collection is also available to view online.
How was the Julo Levin Collection preserved?
Several people helped preserve Levin’s collection:
- Carl Lauterbach (1906-1991), a friend of Levin’s, received a portion of the collection.
- In 1939, Levin’s sister, Else, took a small selection of the drawings with her when she emigrated to England.
- Mieke Monjau (1903-1997), a close friend, safeguarded the majority of the collection leading up to Levin’s deportation.
Where did the City Museum acquire the works?
The City Museum has acquired works from various sources since the 1980s.
Key Facts about the Julo Levin Collection
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Drawings | Approximately 1,900 |
| Time Period | 1936-1941 |
| subjects | Children’s drawings, students from Jewish schools |
| location of Schools | Düsseldorf and Berlin |
| Significance | Provides insight into German-Jewish life during the rise of National Socialism. | current Status | Added to UNESCO’s “memory of the World” register |
