Politics of art under National Socialism

This publication deals with the most powerful Nazi institution for the political control of artists in the Third Reich, the Reich Chamber of Fine Arts. This scholarly examination of the almost 3,000 member files offers a unique insight into the political power structures, processes, networks, and artistic attitudes of the Nazi regime in Vienna.

Beginning with the rise of Austrian fascism before 1938, the book goes on to discuss the consequences of the Anschluss for painting, sculpture, arts and crafts, architecture, and graphic art in Vienna. The book describes the most important players in Nazi art, the commissioning institutions, and the propaganda exhibitions. The book also takes a critical look at the situation after 1945 and questions artistic and personal continuities.

• Publication and exhibition catalog of the Wien Museum – one of the most beautiful books of Austria 2021
• Filling a gap in the historiography of the 20th century
• Remembering those artists who fell victim to the National Socialist regime