City of Dreams and Failures
Vienna, Austria
Academy of Fine Arts
1909
"Well, we've examined your test drawings. I hate to say this, but they're quite mediocre."
The young man was stunned. He had been passionate about painting since he was a kid and this was the first time someone had criticized his work.
"Even though your drawings on buildings and structures are quite good, you're poor when it comes to drawing humans and animals. In all your paintings, they all appear very much like statuesque. Lifeless."
He had endured incredible hardship. An abusive drunkard of a father, the loss of his mother, the struggle of being an orphan. All of this took a toll on him and now another one was in the process of metaphorically slapping him in the face.
"You pay more attention to the landscape and the buildings rather than the people around them. Some of your designs seem grand and unrealistic."
The young man could sense the blood boiling in his veins. He could just feel it inside himself.
"You merely recreate what is in front of you. You hardly show expressions, you don't give life to your portraits, you don't even convey a message in your paintings."
He could hardly endure the criticism. If the man continues blabbering, he might start throwing a chair.
"However, don't take this as complete rejection. I see your talent leaning on architecture, rather than art. As I said, you draw buildings better than people. With that said, how would you like being enrolled in the architectural department?"
Now the young man is feeling confused. He trained for art, received criticism for his talent but was now being advised to take architecture? He would need time to contemplate whether to accept the offer or not.
"Can I have a day to think this through?" Said the young man. "Sure you can, the offer is still open" replied a member of the admission board. And with that, the young man got up leaving.
"Think long and hard about this, herr…. He glances into the paper to check the name. "Adolf Hitler, isn't it?".
"Yes, yes it is". "Well then, come back tomorrow and tell us your decision".
***
Adolf Hitler, now a young man, had moved to Vienna after graduating from the Gymnasium. He, along with his hometown friend August Kubizek, had goals in Art and Music respectively. Both of them had moved in as roommates in a shabby flat. While Kubizek got accepted into a musical academy, Hitler was left with a dilemma.
As he traveled back to the flat, Hitler could see numerous students of the prestigious academy roaming around with smiles on their faces. He wondered if he would ever be as content as they are. He saw many of Vienna's beautiful landmarks. To Hitler, they felt like testaments to the power of Germanic greatness. He sees the streets full of life. The hustle and bustle of one of Europe's grandest cities must've filled the young man with awe, who was used to living in a small city like Linz.
Heading back to Stumpergrasse 31, he sulked into the couch. His paintings were in his bedroom, gathering dust. The thought of abandoning his dream for a lesser one conflicted with the young man. Needing advice, he turned to his friend.
When he told Kubizek of the news, he advised him to take the chance. "Why don't you take architecture class, while taking art classes on the side?" he suggested. "I know a place where they offer art classes. A Jewish family runs the place.". Adolf, upon hearing this, became hesitant. He was a bit suspicious of Jews since coming to Vienna. Anti Semitism had been a normal part of discourse due to various newspapers, politicians and political parties all singing the same tune.
Kubizek still pressed his friend to join the art class. "This is your only chance to do what you wanted to do" he pressed. "Wouldnt you want to try?".
The Next Day
Adolf was back in the Academy. He sat down in the chair adjacent to a table filled with members of the admission board. He had come to a decision.
"Well? What do you say?"
He takes a deep breath. He hopes this decision was the right one.
"I accept your offer".