Walter Spitzer (Polish 1927) Watercolor Gouache on Paper Two Women in

Description: Walter Spitzer (Polish 1927) watercolor gouache painting on paper , Two Women in the Garden . Signed "W. Spitzer" to the lower right. Framed in a gilt wood frame. Weight Approx., 6 lbs Walter Spitzer was born on June 14, 1927, in the Czech-Polish border town of Cieszyn (Województwo Śląskie), Poland, to Grete Weiss and Samuel Spitzer. He had a brother, Harry. It was a pleasant, upper middle class existence and Walter’s artistic talent was noticed early. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. In 1940, his brother was taken away by German soldiers. Shortly after, his father died from complications after surgery. Soon after, all the Jews of Cieszyn were banished from their homes. Walter, age 13, and his mother sought refuge in Strzemieszyce, near Sosnowiec and Bedzin in southwest Poland. Conditions were believed to be better there; the ghetto was open and the Jewish Council was extremely organized. Walter was able to support them by working as a photographer and as a welder at the Eisenwerke (Steel Factory). But in June 1943, the Jews were expelled from Strzemieszyce and transported to Blechhammer labor camp. Walter was separated from his mother and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he was tattooed with the number, 178489. In January 1945, Walter was forced on a death march to Gross-Rosen, from where he was taken to Buchenwald by train and assigned the number, 124465. In his autobiography, Spitzer relates a promise that he made to the German political prisoner in charge of his barracks. This man told Spitzer that he would keep him off the next transport lists, if he promised to tell with his pencils all that he saw in the camps. While at Buchenwald, Walter made portraits and drawings which he bartered for bread. He also did clandestine drawings of forced labor. Most of his camp drawings were lost when the camp was liquidated. The inmates were forced on a death march to Sylésie in February, then to Gera, a Buchenwald subcamp. While on the forced march to Gera, in April 1945, Spitzer was liberated by the United States Army. In May, he was transported to Austria, where he was taken in by the 3256 Signal Service Company of the United States Armed Forces and worked as an interpreter. On June 20, 1945, Spitzer departed for Paris. He received formal training at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and became a renowned painter, lithographer, and illustrator in Paris. Among his most celebrated works are a cycle of lithographs to accompany the fiction of Jean Paul Sartre, including his trilogy about the war years, as well as artwork for several novels by Andre Malraux. Through his art, Spitzer has been a compelling and eloquent witness to the Shoah and other horrors of the 20th century. He published his autobiography, Suavé par le dessin: Buchenwald, [Saved by Drawing, Buchenwald], forward by Elie Weisel, in 2004. Measures Approx., Frame: 22.5 inches x 28.5 inches / Painting: 19.5 inches x 25.5 inches width Condition: Great condition. Light wear to the frame.  Top corner of the paper, with a small tear that is barely visible from the front. •• Please view our for sale at Gallery XV! •• All our items are available for in-person inspection and are available for pickup from one of our warehouses with no fees or charges. (This item is located in Gardena) Domestic & International Customers - WELCOME! Please contact us with any questions regarding shipping or our listings and we will be happy to assist you. We reserve the right to use another shipping carrier other than what is listed, to ensure your purchase is delivered securely. Please contact us if you require a specific shipping carrier. We guarantee the authenticity of all items to be as represented.  We make a best effort to provide a fair and descriptive condition report. •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• Gallery XV specializes in a variety of art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles. We possess over 100 years of experience in the industry as collectors, appraisers and resellers. Our ever expanding inventory originates from estates throughout the U.S. but is especially rich with Southern California estates including celebrities, historical figures and renown collectors. If you haven't seen something that interests you or that you collect, stay tuned...it's just the tip of the ice berg. EBAY provides us with an opportunity to provide the Gallery experience to an ever growing worldwide customer base. We are prompt and professional with our correspondence and appreciate you taking the time to shop with us. "You are only as good as your last feedback"

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