Gustav Klimt and the Nazis: Great Art Cities: Vienna

Summary

In 1937, the Nazis held a notorious 'Degenerate Art Exhibition,' showcasing works they deemed subversive, yet surprisingly excluding Gustav Klimt, whose provocative art was often considered obscene. This video explores why Klimt's works were both dismissed and embraced by the Nazis, highlighting his relationship with Jewish patrons and his radical style. It also delves into lesser-known Klimt masterpieces in Vienna and the cultural impact of his work, particularly in the context of Nazi propaganda, illustrating the complex ways in which Klimt's art survived Nazi censorship while still fitting parts of their aesthetic ideology.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Nazis held an exhibition in 1937, featuring 650 modern artworks they deemed 'degenerate,' including works by famous artists like Picasso, Chagall, and Klee.
• 😀 Gustav Klimt, despite being considered morally questionable and associated with Jewish patrons, was surprisingly excluded from the Nazis' 'Degenerate Art' purge.
• 😀 Klimt's early work, like the murals at the Burgtheater, showcased classical themes with restrained nudity, later evolving into a more personal and avant-garde style.
• 😀 The Burgtheater murals were Klimt's first major commission, awarded by Emperor Franz Joseph at just 22, marking a significant moment in his artistic career.
• 😀 Klimt's transition from classical to modern art was influenced by his involvement in the Vienna Secession movement, where he and other artists rejected traditional academic art.
• 😀 Klimt's 'Beethoven Frieze,' housed in the Secession Building, was viewed by the Nazis as compatible with their ideology, celebrating triumph and idealism.
• 😀 Despite being rejected by the University of Vienna for his unconventional approach, Klimt's paintings were later purchased by his Jewish patron, August Lederer.
• 😀 Klimt's works were looted by the Nazis in 1938, yet his art, despite being modernist, was later promoted by the Nazis in a 1943 retrospective, rebranded to fit their agenda.
• 😀 The Nazis selectively interpreted Klimt's works, downplaying their modernist nature and portraying them as part of the 'Austrian folk tradition' to suit their nationalist narrative.
• 😀 In a tragic twist, Klimt's University paintings, which were stored in a castle during WWII, were destroyed by fire in 1945 to prevent them from falling into Russian hands.
• 😀 Klimt's legacy was manipulated by the Nazis to align with their ideals, but his art's subversive nature and connection to individualism ultimately made it an odd fit within their regime.

Q & A

Why were Gustav Klimt's works omitted from the Nazis' 1937 'Degenerate Art Exhibition'?

Despite being described as 'morally questionable' and 'pornographic', Gustav Klimt's works were left out of the Nazis' 1937 'Degenerate Art Exhibition' because his art, although provocative, aligned in certain ways with Nazi aesthetics. The Nazis even showcased his art in a retrospective in 1943, reframing it to fit their agenda.

What was the 'Degenerate Art Exhibition', and why did the Nazis organize it?

The 'Degenerate Art Exhibition' was a 1937 Nazi-organized event aimed at discrediting modern art that the regime deemed 'degenerate' or 'un-German'. It featured works by artists like Picasso, Chagall, and Klee, whose art was considered morally or politically subversive by the Nazis.

What are the key characteristics of Klimt's early works at the Burgtheater?

Klimt's early works at the Burgtheater included monumental ceiling panels depicting scenes from ancient and classical theatre, such as 'The Altar of Dionysus' and 'The Cart of Thespis'. His early style was more restrained and classical, featuring figures that were more traditionally nude rather than overtly erotic.

How did Klimt's style evolve over time?

Klimt's style evolved dramatically from his early classical works to a more personal and modern vision. He shifted towards a symbolic, mystical, and erotic style, influenced by the Symbolists, which eventually led to his leadership of the Vienna Secession movement.

What was the 'Vienna Secession', and how did it influence Klimt's work?

The Vienna Secession was an avant-garde movement founded by Klimt and other artists in 1897, breaking away from the conservative art academy. Influenced by Symbolism and modernism, the movement sought to explore dreams, philosophy, and sexuality, challenging traditional art forms and institutions.

Why did the University reject Klimt's paintings for their ceiling commission?

The University rejected Klimt's paintings for their ceiling commission because they were too radical and subversive. Klimt’s works, such as 'Philosophy', 'Medicine', and 'Jurisprudence', depicted nudity and explored deep themes of despair and human vulnerability, which clashed with the university's more conservative expectations.

How did the Nazis reinterpret Klimt's art during their regime?

The Nazis reinterpreted Klimt's art by downplaying his modernist elements and emphasizing his ties to German philosophical traditions, such as Nietzsche. They presented his works as part of the 'Austrian folk tradition', aligning them with their nationalist and ideological goals.

What is the significance of the 'Beethoven Frieze' in relation to the Nazi regime?

The 'Beethoven Frieze' was interpreted by the Nazis as embodying their ideals of heroism and idealism, with the central knight seen as a proto-Führer figure. The Nazis admired its themes of triumph over materialism, which aligned with their own propaganda.

What happened to Klimt's 'University Works' during WWII?

Klimt's 'University Works' were destroyed by the Nazis in 1943 when an SS unit set fire to a castle where they were stored. This was done to prevent the artworks from falling into Allied hands as the Nazis retreated.

Why did Klimt's works have a paradoxical relationship with the Nazi regime?

Klimt's works had a paradoxical relationship with the Nazi regime because, although his art was modern and controversial, elements of his style were co-opted by the Nazis. They admired his depiction of the human form, but ignored his connections to the Jewish community and his subversive approach to sexuality and philosophy.