Hitler is known for being one of the most evil and murderous leaders in history. Yet few people know that he also produced a large amount of paintings, focusing on flowers, country sides and cathedrals.

 
Adolf Hitler, failed dictator of Germany during the Second World War, produced a variety of oil and watercolor paintings. In addition to being responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of people, including the genocide of six million Jews, Hitler was an artist who used cathedrals and flowers as subject matter for many of his paintings.

Roses  Dianthus Cathedral in Vienna

Before becoming involved in politics, Hitler applied several times to The Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, hoping to further his artistic career. He was turned down each time, and was forced to live on the streets, selling paintings to tourists and exchanging them in restaurants for meals.

Mother Mary with the Holy Child Jesus Christ

Hitler’s painting of Mary and child has caused a lot of stir amongst Christians. Hitler himself was a Christian, yet he was the creator of much misery and despair during the Second World War. He has been held responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews, gypsies and people from other social sects that Hitler didn’t deem worthy of being included in his future Germany.

  

Hitler often claimed to be something of a frustrated artist, and art was certainly one of his major interests throughout his life. He probably sold several thousand paintings and postcards during his stay in Vienna, some of which turn up even today. Hitler himself made no great claims to greatness as a painter (architecture was something else….). There was a thriving market for his paintings during the Third Reich — and even today, there are eager collectors.

   

The best book on the matter is Frederic Spotts’ Hitler and the Power of Aesthetics, which takes Hitler’s artistic side seriously. Spotts comments: "He had a modicum of talent —— at least in sketching buildings —— but what technique he learned he picked up on his own. Like most amateurs, he began by painting simple landscapes. With neither innate originality nor professional training, he went on to imitate the watercolors and prints of the south German school and the postcard scenes —— everyday urban views —— that were popular at the time….. Moreover, he had to paint the sort of thing that an unknown and untalented amateur might be able to sell, and that was inexpensive reproductions of familiar places" (p. 125). Spotts’ book also has color reproductions of four of Hitler’s paintings.

    

These illustrations of Hitler’s art are taken from a coffee table book on Hitler published during the Third Reich, several million copies of which were printed. These are the examples of Hitler’s paintings one was likeliest to see during the Third Reich. One assumes these were thought the best of his work. It’s interesting that they are all from 1914-1917. By 1938, Hitler decided to prohibit reproductions of his paintings.

 

 


via 1 – http://www.quazen.com/
via 2 - Wikipedia