Hitler's art sells for nearly $450,000
The infamous Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, was at one time a struggling young artist who produced watercolors and drawings. Fourteen of the works from 1904 - 1922 were auctioned by Nuremberg-based Weidler Auction House fetching a total of €391,000 (nearly $450,000) June 20, 2015. They are some of the approximately 2,000 works Hitler has been said to have painted as a struggling artist, the majority of which reportedly didn't survive the second world war.
The signature 'A. Hitler, 1910' can be seen on the watercolor "Blumenstillleben" in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
The works are not considered to have much artistic merit.
Hitler art auction
A reproduction of a watercolor painting of Neuschwanstein Castle by Adolf Hitler is displayed with a work catalogue from Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler wrote in his autobiography "Mein Kampf" that his dreams of becoming an artist as a young man were dashed by rejections from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.
Hitler art auction
A reproduction shows a watercolor painting by Adolf Hitler of Neuschwanstein Castle, at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
A 1914 watercolor by Adolf Hitler entitled "Standesamt und Altes Rathaus Muenchen" (Civil Registry Office and Old Town Hall of Munich) fetched $161,000 in a 2014 auction in Nuremberg. The buyer was a private individual from the Middle East. Ten percent of the sale went to a charity that helps disabled children.
Hitler art auction
The signature 'A. Hitler, 1910' in the corner of the watercolor "Nelkenstrauss" (carnation bouquet) can be seen at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
A reproduction shows the painting "Nelkenstrauss" (carnation bouquet), a watercolor signed 'A. Hitler,' at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
The signature 'A. Hitler, 1910' on the watercolor "Blumenstillleben" is shown at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler moved to Vienna in 1918 at age 18 to become a professional artist.
Hitler art auction
A reproduction shows the painting "Blumenstillleben", a watercolor signed 'A. Hitler,' at the Weidler auction house in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
According to The Guardian newspaper in the U.K., Hitler met Samuel Morgenstern, a Jewish art dealer, when he was a struggling artist in Vienna. Morgenstern took an interest in his work and sold some of the paintings, beginning in 1911, to wealthy Viennese Jewish clients.
Hitler art auction
After Hitler came to power two decades later, Morgenstern's gallery was confiscated by the Nazis. Then in 1941, Morgenstern and his wife were deported to the Łódź ghetto in Poland where he died in 1943, according to Los Angeles auction house, Nate D. Sanders.
A reproduction shows the painting "Kalkbrennerei" (lime kiln), a watercolor signed 'A. Hitler,' at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
The handwriting analysis of the signature on the watercolor painting "Church in Vienna," is shown on June 11, 2015 at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany.
Doubts continue to exist about the authenticity of paintings and drawings said to be created by Adolf Hitler.
Hitler art auction
The picture shows a sheet of a work catalog with several painting signatures of 'A Hitler,' at the Weidler auction house in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Earlier in the year Los Angeles auction house, Nate D. Sanders, withdrew a watercolor still life from auction without comment.
Hitler art auction
The signature of Adolf Hitler on the painting "Prague in the Fog" is shown at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
A reproduction displayed at the Weidler Auction House shows the painting "Prague in the Fog," a watercolor signed 'A. Hitler,' in Nuremberg, southern Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
The picture "Rosenstrauss" (bouquet of roses), a drawing signed 'A. Hitler,' and a letter of authenticity are displayed on June 11, 2015 at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany.
Hitler art auction
The "Damenakt," a drawing signed 'A. Hitler,' is on display at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
The painting of "Old Vienna Hofburg with old passage in 1890", a watercolor signed 'A. Hitler,' is on display at the Weidler auction house in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
The painting of "Karlskirche Vienna", a watercolor signed 'A. Hitler,' is displayed at the Weidler Auction House in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.
Hitler art auction
The drawing "Maedchenportraet" (girl portrait), signed 'A. Hitler,' is displayed with a work catalogue at the Weidler auction house in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11, 2015.