Collections Search - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Portrait drawing of an unidentified man seated with his arms crossed by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawn by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a young child by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawn by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of an older man smoking a pipe by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawn by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Drawing of figures lined up by a supply window by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Small portrait drawings of five people by Josef Nassy

Object

Portraits drawn by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Drawing of a soldier on guard duty by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawning by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Drawing of a man looking at a camp scene by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Drawing of an internemnt camp through a fence by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man playing banjo by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Watercolor painting of a man walking through a bleak landscape by Josef Nassy

Object

Watercolor painting by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a young boy by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man in a cap by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Landscape drawing featuring a man and cows by Josef Nassy

Object

Landscape drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Pencil drawing of two interned men reading by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man with a goatee by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Watercolor portrait of a seated man beside a briefcase by Josef Nassy

Object

Watercolor portrait by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Pencil and crayon drawing of a man in prayer by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man wearing glasses by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Drawing of a man looking out a window at an internment camp by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Two pencil portrait sketches of the same man by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a young soldier by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man playing banjo by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man eating by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Faint portrait drawing of a bearded man playing piano by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Drawing of a group of men seated beneath a large tree by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of Johnny Mitchell playing guitar by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait of Johnny Mitchell playing guitar, drawn by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Crayon drawing of a man reading on a bunk by Josef Nassy

Object

Crayon drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a seated older man by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a man writing on his propped knees by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Portrait drawing of a curlyhaired man by Josef Nassy

Object

Portrait drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Watercolor of nuns praying and receiving communion by Josef Nassy

Object

Watercolor by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Watercolor of a nun seated near a window by Josef Nassy

Object

Watercolor by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Pencil and watercolor drawing of prisoners and a nun peeling potatoes by Josef Nassy

Object

Drawing by professionally trained artist Josef Nassy, a black expatriate of Jewish descent. Josef was one of about 2,000 civilians holding American passports who were confined in German internment camps during World War II (19391945). From 19291934, he was employed in the installation of sound systems in Europe for a film company. Before leaving, Josef had obtained an American passport under the name Josef Nassy, he thought it would be safer to hold an American passport while in Europe. Though he’d been born in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), he apparently claimed that he was born in San Francisco in 1899. He was able to do this because San Francisco's public records had been destroyed in the earthquake of 1906, and authorities issued the passport without any investigation. In 1938, he attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, to study painting. German forces occupied Belgium in May 1940, but Josef and his Belgian wife did not leave. Four months after the US entered the war in December 1941, Josef was arrested as an enemy alien in Germanoccupied Belgium because he held an American passport. He was held in the Beverloo transit camp in Leopoldsburg for seven months. He was then deported to Laufen internment camp and its subcamp, Tittmoning in Germany. Throughout his threeyear imprisonment, Josef created a unique visual diary of more than 200 paintings and drawings. Many of these works chronicle people and daily life in the internment camps. The US Third Army liberated Laufen on May 5, 1945. Josef and nearly all the internees at the camps survived the war. A year after liberation, Josef was repatriated to Belgium. He eventually returned to the United States, and continued to create works of art.

Learn About The Holocaust

My Saved Research

Portrait painting in oil of an unidentified young man by Josef Nassy

Overview

Physical Details

Rights & Restrictions

Keywords & Subjects

Administrative Notes

Download & Licensing

In-Person Research

Contact Us

Also in Josef Nassy collection