Berlin:
People have underestimated the notion that Adolf Hitler considered himself an artist, in fact, an artistic genius, and that much can be deduced from this self-image, says a noted German art historian.
"However, this has hardly played a role in the research to date. That's the starting point, because it can help us gain a better understanding of Hitler as a person, as well as his system of power," says Birgit Schwarz.
The comments of Schwarz come at a time when a great interest is being shown in Hitler paintings, which are also selling well in auctions. According to experts, there are over 700 paintings of the Fuhrer.
Schwarz says Hitler's deluded view of himself as a genius is "based on the confused system of thought emerging in the late 19th century, which centered on the idea that a genius -- a strong personality who outshone everything else -- could do anything and could do anything he pleased".
Though this sounds debatable, Schwarz says "it's important to amend the history of his personality.
"There is a widespread view that he was not truly fascinated by art, and that although he collected art and used it to cultivate his image, he then hid it away in basements and mines," she claims.
"Many believe that Hitler wasn't actually that interested. But it was very deeply ingrained in his personality," Schwarz told the Der Spiegel.
Even Italian archaeologist and art historian Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli felt it was evident in Hitler's body language that he was truly entranced by the art, she says.
Schwarz, however, feels that the perception of Hitler as an artist doesn't make him seem less evil.
"In fact, his love of art led directly into the heart of evil. But neither is it the root of everything else. His fanatical pursuit of his own cause, and his self-image as a genius, contributed to his powers of persuasion and, therefore, his success," she says.
"His obsession with art was interpreted as nothing but a cultivation of his image and propaganda. When you look at his biography, you understand that art was vitally important to him much earlier, and that he needed it for self-affirmation."
Schwarz says after the humiliation of being rejected by the academy, Hitler developed an aversion to all professors, and to all academic study.
"He referred to himself once as a minor painter, but that was at a time when he believed he was a great architect. On the whole, he saw himself as a creative genius," the historian says.
People have underestimated the notion that Adolf Hitler considered himself an artist, in fact, an artistic genius, and that much can be deduced from this self-image, says a noted German art historian.
"However, this has hardly played a role in the research to date. That's the starting point, because it can help us gain a better understanding of Hitler as a person, as well as his system of power," says Birgit Schwarz.
The comments of Schwarz come at a time when a great interest is being shown in Hitler paintings, which are also selling well in auctions. According to experts, there are over 700 paintings of the Fuhrer.
Schwarz says Hitler's deluded view of himself as a genius is "based on the confused system of thought emerging in the late 19th century, which centered on the idea that a genius -- a strong personality who outshone everything else -- could do anything and could do anything he pleased".
Though this sounds debatable, Schwarz says "it's important to amend the history of his personality.
"There is a widespread view that he was not truly fascinated by art, and that although he collected art and used it to cultivate his image, he then hid it away in basements and mines," she claims.
"Many believe that Hitler wasn't actually that interested. But it was very deeply ingrained in his personality," Schwarz told the Der Spiegel.
Even Italian archaeologist and art historian Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli felt it was evident in Hitler's body language that he was truly entranced by the art, she says.
Schwarz, however, feels that the perception of Hitler as an artist doesn't make him seem less evil.
"In fact, his love of art led directly into the heart of evil. But neither is it the root of everything else. His fanatical pursuit of his own cause, and his self-image as a genius, contributed to his powers of persuasion and, therefore, his success," she says.
"His obsession with art was interpreted as nothing but a cultivation of his image and propaganda. When you look at his biography, you understand that art was vitally important to him much earlier, and that he needed it for self-affirmation."
Schwarz says after the humiliation of being rejected by the academy, Hitler developed an aversion to all professors, and to all academic study.
"He referred to himself once as a minor painter, but that was at a time when he believed he was a great architect. On the whole, he saw himself as a creative genius," the historian says.
