Arno Breker, German sculptor and illustrator (b. 1900)

Arno Breker, born on July 19, 1900, and passing away on February 13, 1991, was a prominent German architect and sculptor whose career spanned significant periods of 20th-century German history. He remains primarily recognized for his monumental public works created during Nazi Germany, a period where his art received unparalleled state endorsement and patronage.

Arno Breker's Rise to Prominence in Nazi Germany

During the tumultuous era of the Third Reich, Arno Breker's artistic style perfectly aligned with the aesthetic ideals propagated by the Nazi regime. His work was officially sanctioned and heavily promoted by authorities, including Adolf Hitler and Albert Speer, as the quintessential "German Art." This stood in stark contrast to what the regime aggressively denounced as "Entartete Kunst" – or "Degenerate Art."

The concept of "Degenerate Art" encompassed virtually all forms of modern art, including Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, and Surrealism, which were condemned as being un-German, Jewish, Bolshevist, or a sign of mental illness. Artists associated with these movements faced persecution, their works were confiscated from museums and private collections, and they were often forbidden from practicing or exhibiting. In direct opposition to this, Breker’s neoclassical and idealized sculptures were celebrated for embodying a supposed purity, heroism, and racial ideal that the Nazis sought to promote.

Official State Sculptor: A Privileged Position

Breker's close ties to the Nazi leadership granted him an extraordinary and privileged position. He was officially designated as the "official state sculptor," a title that came with immense influence, numerous high-profile commissions, and direct access to the regime's powerful figures. His status was further underscored by his exemption from military service, a significant privilege during wartime when most able-bodied men were conscripted. This allowed him to continue his artistic production uninterrupted, solidifying his role as a key propagandist through sculpture.

Monumental Sculptures: "Die Partei" and the New Reich Chancellery

Among his most renowned works from this period is the allegorical statue, "Die Partei" (The Party). This monumental bronze sculpture, towering and imposing, represented the very spirit and idealized power of the Nazi Party. It depicted a muscular, idealized male nude figure holding a torch, embodying strength, purity, and unwavering loyalty – key tenets of Nazi ideology. "Die Partei" was strategically placed to flank one side of the grand carriage entrance to Albert Speer's monumental New Reich Chancellery in Berlin, a colossal structure designed to project the regime's power and permanence. Its counterpart, "Der Verkünder" (The Announcer) or sometimes referred to as "Der Wächter" (The Guardian), stood on the opposite side, completing a powerful visual statement at the seat of Nazi power.

The New Reich Chancellery itself was a symbol of Nazi architectural ambition. Speer, Hitler's chief architect, designed it to be an awe-inspiring edifice, and Breker's sculptures were integral to its propagandistic grandeur, serving as powerful visual affirmations of the regime's authority.

Arno Breker's Post-War Career in West Germany

Following the collapse of Nazi Germany in 1945 and the subsequent Allied occupation, many artists and public figures associated with the regime faced denazification trials and professional ostracism. Surprisingly, Arno Breker managed to navigate this tumultuous period and successfully re-establish his career as a sculptor in the newly formed West Germany. While his monumental public commissions from the Nazi era were largely removed or destroyed by Allied forces, Breker adapted his artistic output.

His post-war work shifted from overtly political and monumental public statements to more private commissions, including portrait busts of prominent individuals (e.g., Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dalí, Ernst Fuchs), tomb sculptures, and figures for industrial clients. Despite the controversy surrounding his past, Breker maintained a network of patrons and admirers, allowing him to continue thriving professionally until his death. His ability to resume a successful career, however, remained a point of contention and debate, raising complex questions about artistic responsibility and the judgment of historical collaborators.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arno Breker

Who was Arno Breker?

Arno Breker was a German sculptor and architect (1900–1991) primarily known for his public works during Nazi Germany, where his art was officially endorsed as the ideal representation of German culture, contrasting sharply with art deemed "degenerate."

Why was Arno Breker's art favored by the Nazis?

Breker's neoclassical and idealized sculptures, often depicting heroic and muscular figures, perfectly aligned with the Nazi regime's aesthetic preferences. His work was seen as embodying Aryan ideals of beauty, strength, and racial purity, which the Nazis promoted as the antithesis of modern, abstract, or "degenerate" art.

What was "Die Partei"?

"Die Partei" (The Party) was one of Arno Breker's most famous sculptures, an allegorical bronze figure representing the spirit and power of the Nazi Party. It was prominently displayed at the entrance to Albert Speer's New Reich Chancellery in Berlin.

Did Arno Breker continue his career after World War II?

Yes, despite his close association with the Nazi regime, Arno Breker successfully resumed his professional career as a sculptor in West Germany after 1945. His post-war commissions often involved portrait busts and private works, though his continued success remained a subject of controversy.