Jakob Fischer-Rhein "Kanzlei Berlin - 1939" 22" X 16" Watercolor Sketch

[komet45]

I recently had a chance to examine this intriguing piece and wanted to share it here with the group. Original Third Reich era art is an exciting subject matter and rarely do pieces like this come from the "woodwork" for private inspection.

The image captured in this composition depicts the bustling Vossstrasse entrance to the New Reich Chancellery, with passersby taking obvious note of the SS guards positioned on the steps...perhaps hoping for a chance to glimpse the world-renowned changing of the guards.

The composition has been executed on heavy, good quality paper and employs both watercolor and what appears to be some type of pencil as mediums. There are areas outside the composition, that would be hidden when matted and framed, where the artist worked to mix proper colors. The colors of the pigment are still rich and the work appears to have been stored out of harsh sunlight and humidity. The artist clearly signs his name in the lower right corner along with "Kanzlei Berlin - 1939." His signature appears to be in the same medium used in the composition. This would also suggest that the artist was "on site" while rendering the "skeleton foundation" of this composition. The work has been mounted to a stiff cardboard backing and appears to be firmly affixed. This backing does not appear to be original. There are several noticeable tears in the original paper the composition is done on, suggesting a possible "forced removal" from a contemporary display of the era. Could this have been hanging on the wall of a derelict Berlin office and a souvenir hunting GI in the Summer of '45 decided to make it his own?

Jakob Fischer-Rhein has a very interesting story which includes service during World War 1 as well as in the Sturmabteilung. His work grew in favor during the Third Reich and he was included in the Große Deutsche Kunstausstellung in 1941, 1942 and 1943; Joseph Goebbels purchased two of his works at the 1941 show. Here are links to the two pieces Goebbels purchased, his other works can also be viewed on the same website:

Berlin, Siegessäule — The Great German Art Exhibitions 1937 - 1944/45

Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt — The Great German Art Exhibitions 1937 - 1944/45

The German Wikipedia gives mild hints to Fischer-Rhein's career during the Third Reich:

Jakob Fischer-Rhein – Wikipedia

This is supposedly Fisher-Rhein's "official website," and much like all other searchable online catalogs, there is a large gap in work during the War years with none from that time being represented:

Der Maler Jakob Fischer-Rhein 28.01.1888 bis 28.10.1976

As always, I greatly appreciate all insights and observations willing to be shared and hope to learn more about this fascinating piece!

[komet45]

Another work done by Fischer-Rhein in 1935

[DavidRF43]

My advice would be to compare it to other known, authentic works of the artist's in terms of style and signature and see if they line up....obviously that's not a bulletproof method, but it's at least a starting point....if you can find other examples of the same piece done in the same style or a reference to the piece that;'s identical, that's an extra mark