German soldier's artworks expected to fetch handsome sums at auction

Wednesday 11 September 2024

The year is 1942, you’re away from home conscripted into the war effort and posted to a foreign, but stunningly beautiful part of the world. How would you spend your time? For Franz Theodor Schutt his time in Guernsey was documented with paper and ink, and now those drawings are heading for auction.

Having tried to escape Hitler’s rule in 1940, he was thwarted and forced to join the military efforts as Nazi efforts escalated across Europe.

He came to be stationed in Guernsey for two years, between 1942 and 1944.

While here, his entire body of existing work - nearly 1,000 pictures and sculptures - were destroyed in the bombing of Stettin in 1943.

But, having found creative influences in the island some newer pieces were committed to paper.

15 of those original images are up for sale through Martel Maides this week, featuring islanders during the occupation, cobbled streets in black and white, and a few coloured paintings of the still-familiar sights of St Peter Port.

Pictured: One of the artworks by Franz Theodore Schutt being auctioned this week.

The pictures have been put up for auction by Ken Thomson, who inherited them from his late father, Arthur. 

“My dad was an antique dealer, so who knows where he got them! People would seek him out to buy this or sell that,” explained Mr Thomson.

The works have been split up, into separate lots, with the starting bids ranging from £240 to £320.

Altogether it’s estimated the collection could sell for just under £2,000.

The full auction catalogue including the work of Franz Theodor Schutt can be seen on Martel Maides' website HERE. 

Franz Theodor Schutt was born in 1908. He continued his work as an artist beyond the end of the war, until his death in 1990. 

Pictured top and above: Images from the Martel Maiden catalogue HERE.