Object numberM2004/016:003
Creator Mr. Felix Berger (artist)
DescriptionMiniature painting on cardboard with enamel paint depicting a rickshaw puller with passenger and her baby. Chinese characters "China, Shanghai" signed FB.
Felix Berger was born in Vienna in 1910. At the age of 28, in 1938, after the annexation of Austria, he tried to immigrate fearing a war, but all countries had closed their borders. He decided to go to England as an illegal immigrant and obtained tickets for himself and two friends, travelling by ship from Hamburg to London, where they planned to ask for political asylum as persecuted migrants. The plan got them imprisoned, after which they were released and sent to Germany in September 1938 where they were again imprisoned. They returned to Vienna and in the summer of 1939, obtained passages to Shanghai. Arriving penniless, Felix sold all his belongings, except for paint and brushes, to pay for food, which enabled him to survive by selling his paintings.
Felix Berger was born in Vienna in 1910. At the age of 28, in 1938, after the annexation of Austria, he tried to immigrate fearing a war, but all countries had closed their borders. He decided to go to England as an illegal immigrant and obtained tickets for himself and two friends, travelling by ship from Hamburg to London, where they planned to ask for political asylum as persecuted migrants. The plan got them imprisoned, after which they were released and sent to Germany in September 1938 where they were again imprisoned. They returned to Vienna and in the summer of 1939, obtained passages to Shanghai. Arriving penniless, Felix sold all his belongings, except for paint and brushes, to pay for food, which enabled him to survive by selling his paintings.
Production placeShanghai, China
Production date circa 1940
Object namepaintings
Techniquepainted
Dimensions
- width: 125.00 mm
height: 100.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by David and Janet Houltby, for the late Felix Berger