When I posted an Arno Breker (1900-1991) series on my old tumblr, I caught some flak
from more than one viewer for featuring a darling of the Nazis and favorite of Adolf Hitler.
While Breker's work does fit the Aryan superman myth, there is an undeniable sense of raw
masculinity in it that draws our attention. This will probably be the only time I do this,
and I'm including some biographical and historical notes that show some of the darker
elements of his story. We start with Battle Against the Serpents from 1940.
Dramatisch und dynamisch, wie es der wahnsinnige Hitler wollte.
ReplyDeleteUnd Hitler war weit davon entfernt, das arische Ideal zu sein.
The serpents represent the enemies of Germany as viewed by the Nazis - monarchists, anarchists, communists, socialists, the Jews, the French, the British, the Russians and those mongrel Americans as Hitler referred to us, an ideology for psychopaths and sociopaths….:(
ReplyDeleteI agree with your interpretation and only wonder if Breker claimed some Classical reference as an excuse.
DeleteSadly Breker used exaggerations of the male physique and exaggerated heroics. Of course he had to please his masters.:(
DeleteYes, and he was a bit too eager to please at times.
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