b'IhighlightJohn Elsas Collages, Saved from Obscuritywork in two wooden boxes that eventually found their way to her sister Fanny in Switzerland after the war. Elsas work finds its place in a long traditionof paper art, resurrected and redefined in Germanyduring his lifetime through anti-establishment artists such as Kurt Schwitters (18871948) and Hannah Hoch (18891978) who combined text and collage in provoc-ative ways. Elsas choice of materials seems quite random. Pieces of decorative paper in different colors and textures are cut into simple shapes, combined at times with watercolor accents and oddities like human hair, personal photographs, fabric and even German inflation money or botanicalsThe figu es are quite animated and convey emotion by simple but effective means. Body posture and eye placement in combination with arms or legs extended instill a sense of human drama and reflect attimes a certain dark humor. 64 The subtle drama found in these figu es is magnified by the political context in which they we e IF NOT FOR A GENEROUS GIFT FROMmade. The city of Frankfurt was home to one of the Jane Timken 64 and two wooden boxes that somehowlargest Jewish populations in Germany. Historically miraculously survived World War II, we might neverit had been a hub of Jewish life and commerce since have heard of German artist John Elsas.1074. After the Nazi rise to power in 1933, life for the What might have started as a way to entertainJews in Frankfurt changed dramatically. When the his grandchildren after retirement grew into a dailyanti-Jewish boycott became law, no Jew was allowed obsession resulting in a collection of 25,000 intricateto operate any businesses and Jewish state employees collages. John Elsas late artistic calling started at agewere outright dismissed. After being a stockbroker with 74 when he retired as a stockbroker. His collages societal standing to suddenly being one of German quirky, playful, sarcastically didactic with at times serioussocietys outcasts must have affected Elsas deeply. political undertoneswere created between 1925 andSome of Elsas text and images, while visually light and 1935, a period in German history that was artisticallyplayful, darken within this political context. and politically potent. Born Jonas Mayer Elsas, the artist recognized the looming threat of the rising Nazi Auch Ich, Ich bin ein Menschenkindparty. Although he died at the beginning of the conflictDas sich richtet nach dem Windthat would engulf his homeland, his daughter Irma Also I am a child of humankindwas killed in the concentration camp Theresienstadt. That acts according to the wind Despite her imprisonment, Irma preserved her fathers John Elsas, January 12, 1933above: John Elsas. German, 18511935. Dont despise strange images (Verachtet nicht kuriose Bilder), 1932. Collage and watercolor on moderately thick, smooth, cream-colored paper. Gifts of Jane M. Timken, class of 1964'