Page 68 - All About History - Issue 72-18
P. 68
Propaganda
HITLER’S
WAR ON ART
Inside the 1937 exhibition of ‘degenerate art’ that the Nazis loved to hate
Written by Philippa Grafton
“ he ‘Degenerate Art’ exhibition a shattered nation. Lumped with crippling Hitler had dreamt of an entirely different life.
Butbeforehismeteoricriseinpolitics,
InthewakeofWorldWarI,Germanywas
is a gigantic success and a
deadly blow,” wrote Joseph
government, the country was tumbling into
Arts in Vienna, determined to pursue a career
Goebbels on 24 July 1937, five war reparations and led by an incompetent In 1907 Hitler applied to the Academy of Fine
Tdays after the show’s opening. ruin. The emergence of a young and as an artist. He was rejected, but the young
A hit in the eyes of Hitler’s right-hand man unqualified nobody called Adolf Hitler onto man was determined and applied again the
and propaganda minister, the Degenerate Art the political scene, however, soon changed following year. Once again he was rebuffed,
exhibition was unlike any other exposition the country’s fortunes. Within years Hitler beaten to this prize place by more expressive,
that had been put on in Germany before. This, had soared through German politics and by experimental artists.
after all, was one exhibition no artist wanted 1934 he had manipulated his position and His creative ambition now relegated to
to be a part of, driven by hate, revulsion, named himself Führer, and with this new a mere pipe dream, Hitler was bitter – and
rejection and, above all, retribution. title came absolute power. hellbent on revenge.
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