Josef Thorak

JOSEF THORAK (Salzburg, 1889 - Hartmannsberg Castle, 1952).
"Das licht, 1944.
Marble.
Measurements: 302 cm (height). Includes iron base with 168 cm. cauldron. Total height with pedestal: 470 cm.
Exhibitions: "European sculpture of the 20th century", European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM), Barcelona, 2014.

Carved in marble, the sculpture is monumental in height, a hallmark of Thorak's "gigantism," designed to dominate the space it occupies. The work reflects a blend of neoclassicism and expressionism. Although the anatomy is idealized and soft, the dramatic tension in the neck and raised arms reflects the more emotional and "heroic" style Thorak developed throughout his career.
Josef Thorak, born February 7, 1889 in Vienna, Austria, emerged from a society steeped in artistic tradition, but in the throes of transformation. His early life was marked by a rigorous academic training, initially focused on architecture, before he devoted himself entirely to sculpture. This foundational period instilled in him not only a technical mastery, but also an appreciation for classical forms and monumental scale, elements that would become defining characteristics of his later work. Turn-of-the-century Vienna was a melting pot of artistic movements, from Secessionism to Expressionism; however, Thorak's early inclinations leaned toward a more conservative aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the masters of the Renaissance and the great sculptures of Antiquity.
Thorak's career gained significant momentum in the 1930s, coinciding with the rise of the National Socialist regime in Germany. His powerful, idealized sculptures resonated with the aesthetic preferences of the new government, which sought to glorify the Aryan ideal and project an image of national strength and unity. He quickly became a favorite artist of the Nazi hierarchy, receiving prestigious commissions for large-scale public works intended to embody the ideology of the regime. In this period, Thorak moved away from smaller portrait busts and toward colossal figures: imposing depictions of idealized soldiers, athletes, and citizens. His sculptures were characterized by muscularity, heroic poses, and a deliberate emphasis on physical perfection. The magnitude of these works sought to overwhelm the viewer, conveying a sense of power and invincibility. He established his studio in Oranienburg, near Berlin, where he oversaw the production of numerous monumental sculptures, often employing large teams of assistants to realize his ambitious designs.
Josef Thorak's legacy remains deeply complex and controversial. He was included in the *Gottbegnadeten-Liste* (List of the Divinely Gifted), a compilation of artists considered essential to the cultural life of Nazi Germany, highlighting his importance within the regime's artistic hierarchy. After World War II, Thorak faced a denazification process, but was never convicted of war crimes, although his work fell into disrepute due to its association with Nazism. Today, his sculptures are virtually withdrawn from public display and remain the subject of intense debate.