Leichenwaschung

Not on view

Datec. 1946 - 1964

Dimensionsoverall: 12 in x 16 in

ClassificationsPrint

Credit Linenone

Object number125.97

Object Description[Washing of the Corpses] The etching was done, postwar, by Leo Haas based on his experiences and earlier work done while he was interned at Terezin. Pile of bodies in the foreground on the left-hand side of the image. On the right, in the background, partially hidden by a curtain, several hooded people, in white are washing down bodies on tables. Probably done in East Germany.

Keywords

German
Corpses
Ghettos

NotesThe following thoughts have been translated (by Frank Furth) from Haas' own words in Terezin/Theresienstadt, published by Eulenspiegel Verlag Berlin, 1971. "In the catacombs the ritual custom of washing the corpses was observed for a while. According to Jewish religious ritual this is an honor. Soon this honor had to be abandoned. The mountains of bodies grew so fast that getting the water from the Eger could not keep up with it. So, later on they threw the corpses in urn like forms, direct into the Eger, and the ritual was still adhered to."

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