Artists under Vichy

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During France's darkest hours from the occupation of Paris in June 1940 to its liberation four years later, the French art world experienced an unexpected surge of creativity and pluralism, contrasting sharply with the repressive cultural environment typical of authoritarian regimes. Michle Cone's provocative exploration of the art scene during Vichy and occupied France reveals this paradox. However, Vichy xenophobia and Nazi racism excluded many artists from this vibrant artistic activity. The work illustrates the stark divide between the "haves" and "have-nots" in this crucial yet underexplored period. The first section examines the attention given to both academic and nonacademic art by the official French press, Vichy, and German observers. Cone posits that the Germans permitted nonconformist art, deemed "degenerate" in Germany, to distract the public from their secret confiscation of museum pieces and Jewish art collections. Notably, Picasso, unable to exhibit, navigated this period quietly yet productively. The second section delves into the experiences of persecuted artists, including resisters and Jews in hiding or exile, such as Arp, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Sonia Delaunay, and others. As interest grew in art labeled "degenerate" by Hitler, Cone's insights illuminate the dynamics of creativity, collaboration, and resistance among artists under a repressive regime.