Charlotte Salomon

Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam (NL), 2017

The 800-plus gouaches that make up ‘Life? Or Theatre?’ were exhibited in their entirety, bearing witness to Charlotte Salomon’s artistic talent.

‘Life? Or Theatre?’

Charlotte Salomon (1917–1943) created her life's work after fleeing Nazi Germany and learning that all her female family members had committed suicide. ‘Life? Or Theatre?’ consists of hundreds of gouaches with accompanying texts and musical references on loose sheets of paper and transparencies.

A layered work of art

In its scope and expressiveness, ‘Life? Or Theatre?’ clearly reveals Salomon’s talent as an artist. Films and interactive information screens provided context and depth for visitors to the exhibition and demonstrated the layered character of the artwork.

“Breathtaking! This exhibition will stay with me for a very long time.”

Visitor, guest book — 2017