Lot 217: Nico Wilhelm Jungmann (1872-1935) study of five naked men pulling a rope, signed "Nico" and dated 1917, inscribed "Ruhleben"

Nico Wilhelm Jungmann (1872-1935) study of five naked men pulling a rope, signed "Nico" and dated 1917, inscribed "Ruhleben" Pencil drawing signed "Nico" and dated 1917, in carved wooden frame probably carved by the artist whilst imprisoned. inscribed "Ruhleben", also bears official censor's mark for "The Ruhleben Prisoner of War Camp", : Ruhleben was a civilian detention camp during the First World War, located in a village ten kilometres west of the City of Berlin. The camp detainees included men of the Allied Armies who were living, studying, working or on holiday in Germany at the outbreak of the First World War, including the crew of several civilian ships stranded in German harbours, a number of fishermen and various academics. The German authorities adhered to the Geneva Convention and allowed the camp detainees to minister their own internal affairs and gradually many societies evolved within the camp with letters, books, sports equipment and printing press being allowed in the camp. The detainees organised their own Police Force, magazine, library and postal service, which was known as the Ruhleben Express Delivery. The detainees also arranged their own entertainment and they had the Ruhleben Musical Society which produced the Mikado and the pantomime version of Cinderella, the Drama Society acting a production of Othello, Twelfth Night and The Importance of Being Ernest. Sports also played a major role in the life of the camp and numerous matches and tournaments were arranged for cricket, rugby, tennis and golf. Among the notable prisoners at Ruhleben was the artist Nico Jungmann. h:10.50 w:13.50 in.