Moholy-Nagy, Sibyl
(b. 1905
d. 1971)
Art critic, Educator, Art historian, AuthorNew York, , N.Y., ; Chicago, , Ill., ; Berlin, , Germany
Memoirs and diaries, 1931-1959 5 v.
"My Life in Germany two years before and two years after the start of the Hitler regime," a memoir completed in 1940, November 1931-May 1935 (181 p.). During this period she worked as a highly paid "dramaturg" (script reviewer) for several large motion picture companies in Berlin. She describes the effect that the rise of German nationalism had on the film industry and on theater life in Berlin (she was also a former film actress), the forming of her own attitude toward the political scene, attitudes of the German people, those who "changed colors," events following the Reichstag fire, threats from her Nazi brother, and her conflict with her mother and father who supported the Nazis. She also writes of the collapse of the German film industry, Goebbels' address to the filmmakers, Italian futurist Emilio Marinetti's visit to Berlin, filmmaker Friedrich Dahlsheim's return to Germany and his eventual suicide, the rapid erosion of her desire to remain a German in Germany, and her departure for Amsterdam. Microfilm reel 946. Original privately owned.
"Domestic Diary of America's participation in the Second World War," December 7, 1941-May 25, 1942 in which she documents war events while offering the reactions of her family (34 p.). She vents her feelings about war, particularly about the events and people involved with World War II, writes of her husband's opinion of the situation, and repeats comments by her two young daughters concerning the war. Among the persons and events she reacts to are Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt, Hess, Dies, MacArthur, the publication of the Pearl Harbor report, conscientious objectors, and a speech by Vice President Wallace. She discusses the patriotism and reactions of the American public, her conflicting feelings towards her family in Germany, "the relativity of politics," prejudice and injustice in America, horror stories from the war front, as well as her feelings on the situations in England, Japan, the Philippine Islands, and India. Microfilm reel 1946, frames 816-850.
Random diary entries, 1939-1945, in which she comments on her life and current events (14 p., typewritten). In 1939, Moholy Nagy writes of her family, her personal struggles and frustrations as a devoted wife and mother, problems of her childhood, and her relationship with her children, and the comparison of her relationships with other female and male friends. In 1943, she discusses turning forty, the panic of aging, hopeless feelings that her life is a failure, her desire to become a success as a writer, and her eager attitude in youth to attain everything. In 1945, she discusses her reaction at the close of World War II. She writes of her conflicted emotions, caused somewhat by her concern for the suffering of innocent Germans, compared to her ill feelings for her Nazi sympathizing family in Germany. Microfilm reel 1946, frames 456-469.
Diary, 1947-1958, in which Moholy Nagy writes of her feelings and comments on various events in her life, as well as her family (ca. 150 p., typewritten). She writes of her feelings after her husband's death, and everyone's attitude toward her, her dreams about him, their relationship, her physical and emotional pain, as well as her desires and ambitions. She comments on her wishes and life when she was younger, reflects on her late husband and her love of his work, her feelings of being alone, her daughters and their growth, and her own work as a professor and a writer. She writes of the Art Institute of Chicago and the figures involved there, of her various lovers and friends, and her own travels. She goes on a lecture tour to Europe, particularly around Germany, where she visits her family and writes of the changes in them, physically and spiritually, as well as their relationships with one another. She also reminisces about her youth, reflects on the Bauhaus and the people involved with it, and frequently compares Europe to America; she writes of her feelings about having left Germany, the changes there after the war, meeting her father's friends and feeling that he was actually proud of her. She also visits Greece and writes of the travel, atmosphere, and her thoughts and emotions there. The entries are sporadic and vary in length. Microfilm reel 1946, frames 470-613.
Travel diary, of a 1959 summer trip to South America (40 p.). She discusses the many places she travels through, including the southeastern United States and Mexico. She comments on the art and architecture of the sites, the people, food, and differences in cultures, and societies. At the end, she lists some of her favorite places that she saw. Microfilm reel 1946, frames 614-627.
Microfilm reel(s): 944-949, 951-952 & 1005-1006
Location of Originals: Originals returned to Hattula Hug after microfilming.
Forms Part of: Sibyl and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy papers