Dr Ernst Becker

1900 - 1967

Factsheet

  • Art period: Modern
  • Museums on this site: Royal Collection
  • Also known as: Ernst Becker
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Died: 1967
  • Nationality: Germany

early life and education

dr. ernst becker, a mid-ranking functionary in the ss of nazi germany and chemist in the reich security main office (rsha), was born in 1900 in staufenberg, germany. he studied chemistry and physics at the university of giessen, earning his phd degree in chemistry in 1933.

career and involvement with the nazi regime

becker joined the nazi party in 1930 and the ss in 1931. he was assigned to the ss-regiment 'germania' at bad arolsen, a small resort town near kassel, in central germany. his role involved providing important technical support for the development of gas chambers and vans with a gas chamber built into the back compartment, used in early nazi mass murder of disabled people, political dissidents, jews, and other 'racial enemies'. this included involvement with action t4 and the einsatzgruppen (mobile nazi death squads) in the nazi-occupied portions of the soviet union.

notable involvement and controversy

personal involvement in gas chamber operations: on at least one occasion, becker personally gassed about 20 people, highlighting his direct involvement in the atrocities committed by the nazi regime.

later life and death

becker was promoted to the rank of ss-untersturmführer (second lieutenant). he died in 1967.

relevant artworks and museums

  • max ernst's europe after the rain i (view on WikiOO.org) showcases the artist's unique style, a stark contrast to becker's involvement in the nazi regime.
  • the suermondt-ludwig-museum (view on WikiOO.org) in aachen, germany, is an example of a cultural institution that has contributed to the understanding and remembrance of germany's complex history.
  • dr. ernst becker's own artistic contributions are not notable; however, his involvement with the nazi regime serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during world war ii.

references

Questions & Answers

Is there an overview of all the subjects Dr Ernst Becker painted?

The Subject Atlas page maps Dr Ernst Becker's artworks by subject.

Where is Dr Ernst Becker from?

Dr Ernst Becker was born in Germany.

What aliases or alternate names does Dr Ernst Becker have?

Dr Ernst Becker is also known as Ernst Becker.

How can I see every artwork made by Dr Ernst Becker?

Every work by Dr Ernst Becker on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Self-test

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Which artistic movement is Alphonse Mucha most closely associated with?
Question 2:
Alfredo Andersen primarily focused on painting landscapes of which country?
Question 3:
Elin Danielson-Gambogi's art is often characterized by a focus on:
Question 4:
Wassily Kandinsky is considered a pioneer of which art movement?
Question 5:
Which artist is known for his 'Slav Epic' cycle, depicting the history and culture of the Slavic people?