Kirshenblatt, Mayer (1916-2009)
Exit Hamburg, 1934, July 1997
Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 24 in.
Collection of Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett and Max Gimblett, New York.
Photographed by Tom Warren, with the assistance of Anthony Fodero.

Artist's narrative:

:"We went by horse and wagon from Opatów, through Łagów, to Kielce, the provincial seat, where we took care of some of the papers. From Kielce, we took a train to Warsaw, where we stayed for a few nights. Warsaw was an assembly point. This is where I first encountered a flush toilet. I spent half the night pulling the chain, marveling at the flushing water. From Warsaw, we traveled by train to Hamburg, where we stayed several nights in a huge compound that belonged to the Hamburg American Steamship Company. I couldn't stand being confined to this area and wanted to explore the city, so I went to the office and got permission to go into town. What impressed me in this office was the huge picture of Hitler on the wall. I also saw Germans wearing armbands with swastikas and greeting each other with 'Heil Hitler!' although we did not personally experience any anti-Semitism. In Hamburg, we met with the Canadian consul and were again examined for health and hygiene. A man was covered with hair like an ape. They shaved him clean."