Untitled [Dunera, 1940] by Hans Rothe
Object numberM2023/005:005
TitleUntitled [Dunera, 1940] by Hans Rothe
Creator Hans Rothe
DescriptionLead pencil drawing of two male figures; one in foreground wearing glasses and a hat and staring into the bottom left corner, the other in background reading a book.
Collection of drawings and artworks belonging to Johann Joseph (Hans) Rothe. Hans was born on 10 April 1905 in Vienna. He grew up in a Roman Catholic household with parents, Leopold and Juliane. Little is known about his life before he came to Surrey in 1939. Whilst working in advertising he was classified as an enemy alien before he was arrested at Red Hill in May 1940. He was deported to Australia on the Dunera with other refugees, many of whom were Jewish, in July 1940.
On the journey to Australia, Rothe appears to complete observational sketches of passengers on board before he drew 'Dunera 1940' (M2023/005:001), depicting a figure before travel in July and after travelling in September 1940. Upon arrival to Camp 8 at Hay, New South Wales, he began to document his life in the camps, its conditions and was critical of the treatment of internees. In February 1941 he was transferred to the base hospital before he was moved to Orange. During this recovery, he completed various sketches highlighting the inhumane treatment of prisoners. One drawing of a patient in a hospital bed included a caption of an army doctor's advice to have beer twice daily and a movie once a week. The patient's response is especially critical; 'But doctor that's impossible, I would live like a human being!'.
In October 1941, he sailed to England and was released from his internment in November. Rothe appears to have continued to be a voice against the harsh treatment of internees as well as speaking out firmly against Nazism. It is believed he travelled to Australia in 1951 and settled in Kings Cross, continuing to work as an artist before he moved to the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. He passed away in 1973.
Collection of drawings and artworks belonging to Johann Joseph (Hans) Rothe. Hans was born on 10 April 1905 in Vienna. He grew up in a Roman Catholic household with parents, Leopold and Juliane. Little is known about his life before he came to Surrey in 1939. Whilst working in advertising he was classified as an enemy alien before he was arrested at Red Hill in May 1940. He was deported to Australia on the Dunera with other refugees, many of whom were Jewish, in July 1940.
On the journey to Australia, Rothe appears to complete observational sketches of passengers on board before he drew 'Dunera 1940' (M2023/005:001), depicting a figure before travel in July and after travelling in September 1940. Upon arrival to Camp 8 at Hay, New South Wales, he began to document his life in the camps, its conditions and was critical of the treatment of internees. In February 1941 he was transferred to the base hospital before he was moved to Orange. During this recovery, he completed various sketches highlighting the inhumane treatment of prisoners. One drawing of a patient in a hospital bed included a caption of an army doctor's advice to have beer twice daily and a movie once a week. The patient's response is especially critical; 'But doctor that's impossible, I would live like a human being!'.
In October 1941, he sailed to England and was released from his internment in November. Rothe appears to have continued to be a voice against the harsh treatment of internees as well as speaking out firmly against Nazism. It is believed he travelled to Australia in 1951 and settled in Kings Cross, continuing to work as an artist before he moved to the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. He passed away in 1973.
Production placeat sea
Production date 1940
Object namedrawings
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 170.00 mm
height: 212.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ursula Kaldor. This artwork is donated in memory of Hans Rothe.