Inmates searching for coal by Fred Zeckendorf
Object numberM2021/038:006
TitleInmates searching for coal by Fred Zeckendorf
Creator Fred Zeckendorf
DescriptionPencil and watercolour painting depicting inmates searching through the used coal dump. Signed Zeckendorf VII/1943, Terezin.
Collection of artworks (drawings, sketches and watercolours), hand typed manuscripts and letters produced by Bedrich (Fred) Zeckendorf and Otto Zeckendorf during their time as inmates in Theresienstadt ghetto (or Terezin). The manuscripts and letters were given to Fred's wife, Anci (Anna), who was separated from her family in the ghetto at this time. The collection also includes photographs of the three family members.
Otto Zeckendorf was born in 1923 in Popovice, Czechoslovakia, an only child to Anci (Anna) Zeckendorf, born in Prague, and Bedrich (also known as Fred) Zeckendorf, also born in Popovice in 1893. Before the war, Fred worked firstly at his family's mill before working as an export sales manager for a firm which made neckties. Due to introduced anti-Jewish restrictions, Otto was forced to quit school in 1938 at the age of 15.
The family were deported from Prague in January 1942 to Theresienstadt ghetto. The Zeckendorf family were housed in the Kavalier barracks, with men and women in gender specific accommodation. Although separated, Fred and Otto communicated with Anna through cards, drawings and handmade gifts. This included sending Anna a wedding anniversary gift, a handwritten and illustrated manuscript of recipes and other humorous writings.
Fred worked in the Administration Department's Information Office, a busy department within the ghetto. Otto recalled; "One day there would be 500 in that building but that varied day to day, and he [Fred] had to keep track of who arrived and who was where. It was necessary to always have someone in the office. Someone would arrive asking 'Is my father-in-law still here? Where can I find him?' When no one was around, he did the drawings." During quiet moment, Fred captured life in Theresienstadt including labour scenes, food, landscapes and Jewish prayer life and ceremony.
Otto Zeckendorf worked as a cook in the Theresienstadt kitchen. He worked long and arduous hours, starting at 2.30am to have meals ready by 11.30am, with the shift ending at 1pm. Privileges were enjoyed by inmates in the kitchens and related facilities. Occasionally, Otto managed to sneak extra rations to his father. He recollected, "My father had half of his stomach destroyed because he had ulcers. Without my help as a cook, he wouldn't have survived...with the afternoon free, I would sit with my father until the next shift began."
Fred and Otto spent 2 ½ years in Terezin, from January 1942 to 28 September 1944. On 28 September 1944, they were deported to Auschwitz, where Fred aged 51 was murdered upon arrival. During their wait for deportation, Fred and Otto wrote three letters to Anna in 12 hours. Unaware of what separation would mean, the last time Otto saw his father was during the selection process. Otto was then listed in Meuselwitz, a subcamp of Buchenwald, where he worked as a mechanic slave labourer in an ammunitions factory until he was liberated in April 1945.
Anna survived and was liberated in Terezín, rendering 'essential services' such as growing vegetables for the SS, and planting fast-growing flower seeds in preparation for the Red Cross visit of June 1944. Otto was reunited with his mother and together they travelled via the 'Ugolino Vivaldi', arriving in Australia in December 1949. Otto states they came with only his father's artworks and four pounds sterling in his pocket.
Otto met his wife, Dolly Turner, in Australia and they married on 1 November 1959. He worked as an accountant, continuing to practice well into his 90s. Anna passed away in December 1971 and Dolly in 2019.
Collection of artworks (drawings, sketches and watercolours), hand typed manuscripts and letters produced by Bedrich (Fred) Zeckendorf and Otto Zeckendorf during their time as inmates in Theresienstadt ghetto (or Terezin). The manuscripts and letters were given to Fred's wife, Anci (Anna), who was separated from her family in the ghetto at this time. The collection also includes photographs of the three family members.
Otto Zeckendorf was born in 1923 in Popovice, Czechoslovakia, an only child to Anci (Anna) Zeckendorf, born in Prague, and Bedrich (also known as Fred) Zeckendorf, also born in Popovice in 1893. Before the war, Fred worked firstly at his family's mill before working as an export sales manager for a firm which made neckties. Due to introduced anti-Jewish restrictions, Otto was forced to quit school in 1938 at the age of 15.
The family were deported from Prague in January 1942 to Theresienstadt ghetto. The Zeckendorf family were housed in the Kavalier barracks, with men and women in gender specific accommodation. Although separated, Fred and Otto communicated with Anna through cards, drawings and handmade gifts. This included sending Anna a wedding anniversary gift, a handwritten and illustrated manuscript of recipes and other humorous writings.
Fred worked in the Administration Department's Information Office, a busy department within the ghetto. Otto recalled; "One day there would be 500 in that building but that varied day to day, and he [Fred] had to keep track of who arrived and who was where. It was necessary to always have someone in the office. Someone would arrive asking 'Is my father-in-law still here? Where can I find him?' When no one was around, he did the drawings." During quiet moment, Fred captured life in Theresienstadt including labour scenes, food, landscapes and Jewish prayer life and ceremony.
Otto Zeckendorf worked as a cook in the Theresienstadt kitchen. He worked long and arduous hours, starting at 2.30am to have meals ready by 11.30am, with the shift ending at 1pm. Privileges were enjoyed by inmates in the kitchens and related facilities. Occasionally, Otto managed to sneak extra rations to his father. He recollected, "My father had half of his stomach destroyed because he had ulcers. Without my help as a cook, he wouldn't have survived...with the afternoon free, I would sit with my father until the next shift began."
Fred and Otto spent 2 ½ years in Terezin, from January 1942 to 28 September 1944. On 28 September 1944, they were deported to Auschwitz, where Fred aged 51 was murdered upon arrival. During their wait for deportation, Fred and Otto wrote three letters to Anna in 12 hours. Unaware of what separation would mean, the last time Otto saw his father was during the selection process. Otto was then listed in Meuselwitz, a subcamp of Buchenwald, where he worked as a mechanic slave labourer in an ammunitions factory until he was liberated in April 1945.
Anna survived and was liberated in Terezín, rendering 'essential services' such as growing vegetables for the SS, and planting fast-growing flower seeds in preparation for the Red Cross visit of June 1944. Otto was reunited with his mother and together they travelled via the 'Ugolino Vivaldi', arriving in Australia in December 1949. Otto states they came with only his father's artworks and four pounds sterling in his pocket.
Otto met his wife, Dolly Turner, in Australia and they married on 1 November 1959. He worked as an accountant, continuing to practice well into his 90s. Anna passed away in December 1971 and Dolly in 2019.
Production placeTerezin, Czech Republic
Production date 1943-07
Subjectartwork, ghetto, artists, ghetto experiences
Object namepaintings
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 220.00 mm
height: 170.00 mm
Language
- Czech
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Otto Zeckendorf
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.