What Was Hitler’s Reaction to Modern Art?

Art|Modern Art

Adolf Hitler had strong opinions about modern art, which he expressed in his book Mein Kampf. He criticized the art of his time for being “degenerate” and having no aesthetic value. He believed that modern art was a symptom of a sickness that had taken over German society, and he wanted to rid the country of it.

Hitler saw modern art as a rejection of traditional values and beliefs. He argued that it was a product of Jewish influence, and he believed that it had no place in German culture. He felt that it was an insult to the values he held dear, and he sought to find ways to eliminate it from German society.

Hitler’s disapproval of modern art was reflected in his policies. He established the Reich Chamber of Fine Arts in 1933, which was tasked with evaluating artwork for its aesthetic value and appropriateness for public display.

Anything deemed “degenerate” or un-German was removed from galleries and museums. He also banned certain styles such as abstract expressionism, Dadaism, surrealism, cubism and futurism from being exhibited in Germany.

Hitler also used propaganda to try to turn public opinion against modern art. He organized exhibitions that highlighted the supposed inferiority of certain works, such as those by Marc Chagall or Wassily Kandinsky. In one example, the Degenerate Art Exhibition displayed works by Jewish artists alongside images of disfigured bodies or insane people as a way to demonstrate how degenerate these works were considered to be by Nazi standards.

Ultimately, Hitler’s efforts were unsuccessful in completely eradicating modern art from Germany. Though many works were destroyed or banned during this period, some were able to survive through private collections or through exiles who fled the country with their artwork intact.

This artwork is still studied today as an important part of history and is often seen as a symbol of resistance against Nazi oppression and censorship.

Conclusion: Hitler’s reaction to modern art was one of intense disapproval and condemnation. Through his policies and propaganda campaigns, he sought to eliminate what he perceived as un-German influences from the country’s cultural landscape – but ultimately failed in achieving this goal.