The Art School Hitler Failed and Its Impact on Modern Art
Adolf Hitler, the infamous leader of the Nazi Party, was known for his influential art philosophy and his dedication to modernist aesthetics. However, long before he became a political leader, Hitler experienced a personal setback in his life that, interestingly, pertains to the realm of fine arts - his rejection from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. This article explores the details of this rejection and the subsequent impact on the art world, particularly the famous Bauhaus school.
Hitler’s Rejection from the Art Academy
In 1907 and 1908, Adolf Hitler applied twice to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, a prestigious institution that was established in 1692 and continues to operate today. Of the approximately 75 applicants each year, only a select few were accepted, and Hitler was not among them. Although the exact reasons for his rejection are not fully documented, it is widely speculated that his work was deemed "unsatisfactory" by the board of examiners.
Specifically, the Academy’s rejection of Hitler was based on his lack of focus on human and animal subjects in his artwork. According to August Kubizek, Hitler’s only known friend who lived with him in Vienna at the time, Hitler was furious and demanded an explanation from the Academy’s director. He later wrote: "This Academy ought to be blown up. A lot of old-fashioned fossilized civil servants bureaucrats devoid of understanding. Stupid lumps of officials." His anger at the Academy’s rejection foreshadowed his later anti-Semitic views and his belief that the decision was a result of Jewish influence.
The Fate of the Academy
After Hitler’s rise to power, the situation for the Art Academy, especially the Bauhaus, took a drastic turn. The Bauhaus, founded in 1919, was closed down in April 1933 by the Nazis, who deemed it “un-German” and “degenerate art.” This move had a profound impact on the modern art world, as many educators and students fled Germany, spreading the Bauhaus philosophy worldwide.
On the other hand, the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna continued to operate. However, like many other educational institutions, it faced significant challenges during the Holocaust. Anyone associated with the school who was Jewish either had to flee or was eventually sent to concentration camps. This represents a tragic irony in light of Hitler’s earlier rejection from the very institution he would later seek to control.
The Impact on Modern Art
The closure of the Bauhaus and the spread of its ideals outside of Nazi control significantly impacted modern art and architecture. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, the Bauhaus philosophy became a beacon for creativity and innovation, influencing generations of artists and designers worldwide. Even those who were not directly connected to the Bauhaus movement were influenced by its ideas and principles.
Conclusion
Adolf Hitler’s rejection from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna was a formative event that contributed to his personal and ideological development. While the Academy continued to operate and influence the art world, the closure of the Bauhaus and the subsequent spread of its philosophy reshaped the landscape of modern art and design. The story of these institutions and their impact on the art world serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between personal ambition, political ideology, and the broader trends in art and culture.