Adolf Hitler - Art School Reject

In The Girl in the Glass, Declan’s prophecy is mocked by his captors.

“President Washington’s prophecy landed you here, ours turned an art school reject into the absolute ruler of Germany.”

This is a reference to Adolf Hitler, who was rejected twice by the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, in 1907 and 1908. The rejections were devastating to Hitler, who had dreamed of becoming a professional artist. 

While Hitler's artwork showed some technical competence, the admissions committee noted deficiencies in his paintings and drawings of human figures. His figures were described as "devoid of rhythm, color, feeling, or spiritual imagination". He did, however, show technical competency in his architectural and landscape drawings. Despite suggestions to apply to the Academy's School of Architecture, he did not, not having the prerequisite high school diploma and refusing to return to high school.

Hitler's rigid, classical style was considered outdated and unoriginal, and for several years, he lived in poverty, staying in homeless shelters and selling small watercolor paintings of cityscapes and landmarks.

During this time, Hitler became more interested in politics, and his anti-Jewish ideology began to take shape. His experience as a failed artist also became part of a personal mythology in his book Mein Kampf, where he portrayed himself as a struggling underdog fighting against the establishment. After World War I, he fully abandoned his artistic pursuits and transitioned to a career in politics, eventually rising to become the leader of the Nazi Party. 

Hitler’s artwork. Below is Hitler’s painting of Mary with Baby Jesus.