History remembers Adolf Hitler as the infamous dictator of Nazi Germany, but before his ascent to power, he harbored dreams of becoming a celebrated artist. He famously stated, “All my life I have wanted to be a great painter in oils…future historians will remember me not for what I have done for Germany, but for my art.” This ambition led him to apply to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, only to face rejection not once, but twice. Why Was Hitler Rejected From Art School, and how did this disappointment potentially shape his dark path in history?
The Courtyard of the Old Residency in Munich painting by Adolf Hitler showcasing his architectural focus and detailed style.
Early Artistic Aspirations in Vienna
In his youth, struggling to survive in Vienna before World War I, young Adolf Hitler discovered a way to make a meager living by painting and selling postcards and pictures of the city. He recounted this period in Mein Kampf, stating, “I owe it to that period that I grew hard and am still capable of being hard.” He wasn’t alone in this endeavor; another resident in his lodging house also sold art, primarily to fill empty picture frames. Interestingly, despite his later virulent anti-Semitism, eyewitness accounts from Vienna suggest his early interactions with Jews were pragmatic and business-oriented. Reinhold Hanisch, a friend, noted, “Adolf often said that it was only with the Jews that one could do business because only they were willing to take chances.” This raises questions about when and why his anti-Semitism truly took root.
A postcard painted by Hitler, representative of the artworks he sold in Vienna to earn a living.
The Academy’s Decision and Its Rationale
Hitler’s artistic style was traditional, focusing on landscapes, buildings, and still life. His technique displayed a certain level of skill, but critics often noted a “coldness” in his depiction of human subjects. When Hitler applied to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the board acknowledged his compositional abilities. However, they rejected his application, citing that his submitted works showed “too few heads,” suggesting a deficiency in portraying human figures. Instead, the academy suggested he consider architecture, recognizing his aptitude for depicting buildings. However, Hitler, with his pride and lack of formal academic qualifications, viewed this as a demotion and remained fixated on becoming a painter. This rejection further fueled his already embittered worldview.
Analyzing Hitler’s Artistic Abilities
While opinions on Hitler’s art are inevitably colored by his historical actions, objective assessments suggest he possessed some artistic talent. Experts acknowledge his skills as a draftsman and his mastery of watercolor techniques. However, the criticism regarding his difficulty with human figures and lack of emotional depth in his art persists. This might stem from a genuine disinterest in people or, as some speculate, could be linked to the severe physical abuse he endured as a child, possibly “denaturing” his emotional capacity. Regardless, his artistic limitations were evident to the Academy, leading to his fateful rejection.
Hitler’s painting ‘Mary and Jesus’, an exception to his usual subjects, noted for technical skill but lack of emotional depth.
The Aftermath and Historical Impact
Hitler never truly relinquished his self-image as an artist. He reportedly confessed in his Table Talk that had he succeeded as a painter, he would have never entered politics. Whether this is true or a retrospective rationalization, his rejection from art school undoubtedly marked a turning point in his life. It’s tempting to speculate how history might have differed had the Academy accepted him. Towards the end of his life, Hitler allegedly ordered the destruction of his artworks, but hundreds survived. After the war, the US Army seized many, and some remain in government possession or private collections. Art critics continue to offer harsh appraisals of his work, though one modern critic, unaware of the artist’s identity, judged some of his paintings as “quite good,” while still noting a “profound disinterest in people” evident in his diverse depictions of human figures. Despite the critical disdain, Hitler’s paintings, mostly watercolors, fetch significant sums at auctions, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, driven more by historical notoriety than artistic merit.
In conclusion, Hitler’s rejection from art school was not due to a complete lack of talent, but rather because his skills and artistic inclinations did not align with the Academy’s standards, particularly in depicting human subjects and conveying emotional depth. This pivotal rejection, coupled with his personal circumstances and predispositions, may have inadvertently contributed to shaping the course of 20th-century history by diverting his ambitions from art to politics.
