Ludwig Kainer (1885-1967) Es Werde Licht. 1918.... Lot 126

Ludwig Kainer (1885-1967) Es Werde Licht. 1918. SIZE: 37 3/8 x 56 in./95 x 142 cm PRINTER: DESCRIPTION: In post-World War I Germany, concerns about sexual needs and dangers captivated many—particularly, Jewish practitioners inspired by the new Sexualwissenschaft, or sexology. The German army realized the opportunity for propaganda and educative films to share medical facts, but more importantly, alert soldiers and their families to the dangers of sexual disease. And so, in 1916 the aptly named German Society for Combating Venereal Disease commissioned Richard Oswald to direct the film "Es werde Licht!" ("Let There Be Light!")—which we believe to be the first ever sex-ed film. Two sequels followed, and Ludwig Kainer was asked to design this poster for part two—it's a bit more titillating than the film's content, but worked to draw in curious viewers. It's also interesting to note the complex history regarding this poster and its maker: first, this was part of the Hans Sachs collection, which was the largest poster collection in Germany until its seizure during Kristallnacht in 1938. To boot, Kainer had his own extensive collection of works by famous artists, which was also seized during World War II. After Christie's auctioned an $11 million Degas painting attributed to the Kainer heirs in 2009, the jig was up: Swiss bank officials had secretly created a foundation to manage and sell these works without ever notifying the family of their dealings—or even of the collection's existence. After many legal battles, the family has finally secured the inheritance of Ludwig Kainer. (Art Nouveau; Film; German; Jewish Interest)