Arno Breker – Third Reich’s State Sculptor

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Arno Breker. Arno Breker (19 July 1900, Elberfeld † 13 February 1991, Düsseldorf) was a renowned German sculptor, widely regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. He achieved international recognition during the 1930s and 1940s as the official state sculptor of the Third Reich, where his monumental works symbolized classical ideals of strength, heroism, and beauty.

Career Highlights:

• Studied at the Düsseldorf Academy of Arts and later in Paris, where he became acquainted with leading figures of the art world such as Pablo Picasso and Aristide Maillol.

• Returned to Germany in the mid-1930s, quickly rising to prominence as the favored sculptor of the regime. His colossal statues adorned major buildings and exhibitions, including those designed by Albert Speer.

• Served as a professor at the Berlin Academy of Arts and was granted the title of “State Sculptor.”

• After 1945, he continued to work as an artist, focusing on portraiture and smaller-scale sculptures. Despite controversy surrounding his wartime prominence, he maintained a respected career in postwar Germany and abroad.

• Notable works include “Die Partei” and “Die Wehrmacht” created for the Reich Chancellery, as well as numerous heroic nudes and portraits.

Postwar Recognition:

• In later decades, Breker worked with and portrayed many famous personalities, including Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dalí, and Anwar Sadat.

• His artistic legacy remains significant, though deeply intertwined with the politics of his time.

Item Details:

• Authentic postwar signature of Arno Breker.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Excellent, bold signature with clear presentation.

Collector’s Note:
Breker’s autograph is of special interest not only to collectors of wartime history but also to those in the field of fine arts. As one of the most prominent sculptors of his era, his works—and his signature—bridge the world of politics, art, and history.