Sporting Propaganda in Visual Arts Under the Fascist Regime and the Example of the 1941 Cremona Prize

Abstract

Starting as early as 1933, German Nazis had attempted to eradicate so-called entartete Kunst (Degenerate Art). Censors in Fascist Italy had long allowed artists relatively free reign to express their creativity so long as they adhered to European or national norms. However, from 1936 onwards, events such as the victorious war in Ethiopia, the proclamation of the Italian Empire and the declaration of the Rome-Berlin Axis followed by the Pact of Steel in 1939 caused Italy to be drawn into Hitler’s sphere of influence. These events encouraged such measures as promulgating the odious racial laws and Italy’s increased militarization. Even art and culture had to be reconsidered in order to conform more closely to Nazi ideals which promoted the pure Aryan race. From 1937 to 1943, Italian artists produced works of “militant art” that followed official propaganda in line with Nazi tastes and principles. These artworks were shown regularly at local and regional events, and at the Premio Cremona (Cremona Competition), a national contest which aimed to popularize “militant art.” Another officially sanctioned Fascist venue was the Premio Bergamo (Bergamo Competition). Mussolini hoped to use the visual arts to encourage fitness, sport and discipline. Consequently, the official Fascist art often displayed athletes engaged in different physical activities; the works are frequently done in either the classic style, the “militaristic” Nazi mode or in the style of Futurism which remained very popular throughout the twenty-year span of Fascism. This paper will focus on these themes using both primary and secondary sources as well as a selection of sporting images.