World War Two Art As Weapons Against Fascism, War, Ignorance & Bigotry. Anti-Nazi Artist Activist Hunted By The Gestapo, 1935

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“My montages were intended as weapons
in this time of war in peace by us against the
Nazi regime, and conversely, they were indicative
of the war that the Nazis had already inaugurated
during the so-called peace.”
John Heartfield in a letter to Wieland Herzfelde, May 5, 1945
John Heartfield in a letter to Wieland Herzfelde, May 5, 1945

Paris World War II Artists. Art As Weapons Against Fascism, War, Ignorance & Bigotry. Gustav Regler, John Heartfield, Tristan Tzara, Oskar Kokoschka, 1935

In Paris World War II German anti-Nazi artists seek refuge as continue their struggle against Hitler and The Third Reich. John Heartfield is a fugitive. He is living under a Gestapo death sentence. After a narrow escape in Prague, the antifascist activist artist whose “art as a weapon” against The Third Reich has become famous all over Europe remains in Paris from March to August, 1935. He meets with Gustav Regler, Tristan Tzara, Oskar Kokoschka, and Walter Benjamin. Photos of his gaunt face clearly reflect the toll it has taken on him to be constantly on the run from Hitler’s Gestapo.

Heartfield’s exhibition 150 photomontages politiques et satiriques d’actualité (150 Current Political and Satirical Photomontages) takes place from April to May in the Maison de la Culture, Paris World War II.

While a fugitive from The Third Reich, John Heartfield finds time to design book jackets for Willi Münzenberg’s Editions du Carrefour, including Das braune Netz (The Brown Net).



war two art 1935 Heartfield Exhibition

war two artists John Heartfield with Oskar Kokoschka, Paris, 1935

John Heartfield sharing a cafe table with Oscar Kokoschka in Paris in 1935. Heartfield is about to indulge in his ever-present pipe.


war two artists Gustav Regler, John Heartfield, Tristan Tzara, Paris, 1935

(L-R) Gustav Regler, John Heartfield, and Tristan Tzara in Paris, 1935

(L-R) Gustav Regler (publicist), John Heartfield, Tristan Tzara (Romanian Writer and Dadaist) at the Heartfield Exhibition “150 Photomontages Politiques et Satririques D’Actualite”, Paris 1935


war two marriage artist Heartfield to wife Barbara

(L-R) John Heartfield and his second wife, Barbara

John Heartfield with his second wife, Barbara, in Paris 1935.


Professor John J Heartfield is John Heartfield’s paternal grandson. He gives live interactive presentations around the world that focus on his grandfather’s life and work and modern political art. Please write to him to request his presence at your event or ask any question. He is always pleased to hear from exhibition visitors.

Paris World War II fugitive artist John Heartfield grandson, John Heartfield, Curator Official John Heartfield Exhibition