Still life with a Beethoven mask
josef jurutka, painting (1880 – 1945)
Explore Josef Jurutka's unique wood medium paintings & prints! Hungarian Impressionist known for 'Beethoven Mask.' Discover his blend of styles & legacy at ArtsDot.
German Historical Museum (Berlin, Germany)
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The still life emphasises the metaphysical and superhuman dimensions of the composer. The extinguished candle points to the ephemerality of all earthly things. The life mask of Beethoven on the wall, crowned with a laurel wreath, symbolises the immortality of his music, indicated by the violin and the sheets of music.The painting by Josef Jurutka was shown at the 1939 German Art Exhibition in the Haus der Kunst in Munich. It was one of the two paintings that Adolf Hitler bought for his own collection. For Hitler Beethoven embodied the superiority of German music.
About this artwork
- Title: Still life with a Beethoven mask
- Artist: josef jurutka, painting
- Year: 1937
- Format: Portrait
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: German Historical Museum
- Movement: Impressionism
- Medium: Oil
- Medium type: WallArt
- Color palette: Earthy
Quick Facts
- Title: Still life with a Beethoven mask
- Artistic style: Impressionism
- Artist: Josef Jurutka
- Subject or theme: Immortality of music and ephemerality
- Year: 1937
- Location: Hitler's private collection (formerly)


