Jankel Adler (1895-1949)

The present work is a preliminary study for what is undoubtedly one of Adler's most important post-war works, registering his response to the extermination by the Nazi SS of some 800,000 Jews and several thousand Roma or Sinti in the Treblinka death camp between July 1942 and October 1943. The painting of the same subject (measuring 152.5 x 91.5 cm., hence one of his largest) was included in the artist's restrospective at Stdtische Kunsthalle Dsseldorf in 1985, cat. 115, and remains in private hands.