2020 IB Extended Essays

15

Conclusion Overall, Hitler was able to compete with ideas that contrasted his beliefs through censorship. Within the hundreds and thousands of stolen works, three main elements can be identified that make these works similar. A variety of renaissance pieces were stolen as they directly defied the Nazi revolution ideology and expressionism pieces were stolen because of their stark contrast to traditional art techniques. Depictions of war were confiscated as they were a form of output of emotions regarding violence that was considered inappropriate amongst the Nazi regime. The confiscation and disappearance of artwork has limited the critical analysis of crucial pieces in famous artists’ lives and reduced the amount of visual depictions of life in certain time periods and locations. Hitler’s rule over Germany has had a heavy impact on the history of the fine arts and the absence of certain artworks will continue to leave an empty space in the art world.