Witness: Images of Auschwitz

by David Olere, Alexandre Oler

Presents a collection of forty-two illustrations by a survivor of Auschwitz that provides the only visual images ever captured of a Nazi death camp during its operation

Genres: Holocaust, History

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[L.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Na początku byłem trochę rozczarowany, że nie ma tu najmocniejszych prac Davida Olere, ale te wybrane, zestawione z kilkoma słowami tekstu przez jego syna, trzeba przyznać, że tworzą spójną historię i dobrze są dobrane, więc i tak warto.

(czytana/oglądana: 5-6.04.2026, biblioteka DE)
5/5 [9/10]

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witness: Images of Auschwitz is by Alexandre Oler, son of the artist, and illustrated by David Olere, Survivor of Auschwitz. It is a difficult book to read and to look at. The illustrations were drawn by David Olere right after his liberation from Auschwitz. He was one of the few surviving members of the Sonderkommando.
David’s drawings and paintings are horrific reminders of what happened to Jews in Auschwitz. The drawings are so haunting and so beautiful it is difficult to look at them and yet difficult not to look at them. His original drawings and paintings in this book are in Yad Vashem and the Ghetto Fighter’s House Museum in Israel. Eighteen oil paintings are on display at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City while other paintings are in various museums in France. This book is a tribute to him and his works as well as to his story and the story of millions of Jews who suffered under the Nazi regime.
The poems and written material accompanying the drawings and paintings was were written by his son, Alexandre Oler. Through his words, the drawings become more alive and the feelings expressed are quite similar to those portrayed by other survivors. In a few words, he expresses a multitude of meanings and emotions. The book was brilliantly put together by Alexandre.
I feel privileged to have read this book and to have seen Auschwitz through David Olere’s eyes and feel the emotions through Alexandre Oler’s words. It is a terrific tribute to those who lost their lives in Auschwitz.

[Russ Turpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Olere is an awesome artist. He's the only known Sonderkommando (Jewish prisoner who was responsible for cleaning out the gas chambers, putting the bodies into the ovens, and whatever other horrible jobs the SS could imagine) who turned his experiences into art.

Be warned: some of the images are shocking and they're all quite poignant. Very moving look from a unique perspective....

[Christina Crosland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart, but a necessary read. I'm shaking after reading it. The text is blunt, more blunt than any other book on the Holocaust that I have read before. Paired with the images, it's a striking and horrifying witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust.

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures and story are gut retching. Olere depicted the devastation of the Holocaust through his art and his memories. This book is a reminder of how very Blessed we are.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictorial eyewitness account of an artist (the only artist) who survived Auschwitz. Text by his son. Powerful. Chilling.