Today in History

June 19, 1937 - the Entartete Kunst exhibit opens in Munich, Germany:

Degenerate Art was also the title of an exhibition, mounted by the Nazis in the Haus der Kunst in Munich in 1937, consisting of modernist artworks chaotically hung and accompanied by text labels deriding the art. Designed to inflame public opinion against modernism, the exhibition subsequently traveled to several other cities in Germany and Austria.

What did they object to in art? Abstract art in general, but see if these particular descriptions posted next to the displays sound somewhat familiar today:

Insolent mockery of the Divine under Centrist rule

An insult to German womanhood

Deliberate sabotage of national defense

While modern styles of art were prohibited, the Nazis promoted paintings and sculptures that were narrowly traditional in manner and that exalted the "blood and soil" values of racial purity, militarism, and obedience.

Xenophobia, militarism and jingo patriotism. Thank god things are NOTHING like that these days.