Two Shepherds

1937

“Degenerate art”: 639 works removed

In 1937 the Nazis classed Kirchner as a “degenerate” artist: 639 of his works were removed from German museums, some of them destroyed, and 25 paintings were shown at the “Degenerate Art” exhibition, which Hitler personally declared an “insult to the nation.”

1937

Expelled from the Prussian Academy of Arts

In 1937 Kirchner was forced to resign from the Prussian Academy of Arts; the Academy in Berlin expelled him as a member.

1937

First solo museum show in the US, in Detroit

In 1937 the Detroit Institute of Arts held Kirchner’s first solo museum exhibition in the United States.

1938

The Anschluss and the fear of an invasion of Switzerland

In 1938 Kirchner grew ever more upset about the situation in Germany; after the annexation of Austria in the Anschluss he was troubled by the thought that Germany might invade Switzerland.

15 June 1938

A shot outside his house in Frauenkirch

On 15 June 1938 Kirchner took his own life by gunshot in front of his home in Frauenkirch, although there are doubts about his death being a suicide.

15 June 1938

Died