Concordat
Fort Lauderdale: Dorothy Krause, 2018. Hardcover. A unique artist's book from renowned book artist Dorothy (Dot) Krause. In her artist's statement she describes her work: "My work includes large scale mixed media pieces, artist books and book-like objects that bridge between these two forms. It embeds archetypal symbols and fragments of image and text in multiple layers of texture and meaning. It combines the humblest of materials, plaster, tar, wax and pigment, with the latest in technology to evoke the past and herald the future. My art-making is an integrated mode of inquiry that links concept and media in an ongoing dialogue - a visible means of exploring meaning. " In a printed statement that accompanies this powerful work Krause writes: "A concordat is an agreement or treaty, especially one between the Vatican and a secular government relating to matters of mutual interest. The Reichskonkordat was a controversial treaty between the Vatican and the newly formed Nazi government. It was signed on July 20, 1933 by Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, the Vatican Secretary of State who later became Pope Pius XII. The Concordat effectively removed the German Catholic Church from any opposition to Hitler and gave moral legitimacy to the Nazi regime. It seemed to promise that the Church could carry out its spiritual mission. However, violations of the treaty by the Nazi regime began almost immediately. Some have viewed the Concordant as a manifestation of the Pope's preference for dictatorships over democracies and disregard for German Jews. The Vatican insisted, however, that they approved the agreement simply to protect the Church. The Concordant remains in effect to this day." In her book, Krause created compelling and disturbing images that reinforce the dismay and distress with which the west viewed this Concordant. Throughout, she juxtaposes religious images of wood and stone by the 16th century sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider with photographs from the exhibition "Fascination and Terror" at the Nuremberg Documentation Center. The frontispiece is a close-up view of Durer's Christ-like self-portrait of 1500 that has been modified with a swastika over the right eye with a mica circle as if a monocle. Images of 16th century sculptures of nuns are collaged on the red mono printed pages with red lines blotting out their eyes. Other images include that of a sculpture of a Pope with a red line across his eyes set against a map of Germany and central Europe. Hitler and the praying Virgin appear to be falling on the penultimate page. Perhaps the most disturbing page is that featuring various Nazi concentration camp badges worn by inmates. The book is on paper that has 26 hand painted, mono printed and collaged pages with mica overlays. It is in a drumleaf binding with a black leather cover cut from a vintage jacket. It is housed in a custom-made black box made by the artist. In fine condition. Measures 3.75 x 5.5 inches. ARTB/022723. Fine. More