Criticism of Rosenkranz: President of the National Council Poses in Front of Nazi Mural

The SPÖ expressed being "appalled," while for the Greens, the action is "revealing." Rosenkranz's office pointed out that the painting was also not covered by several of his predecessors. A renewed covering is being discussed.

Following a report by the online magazine "tag eins" and "profil," which drew attention to the mural in Rosenkranz's office, the SPÖ spokesperson for remembrance culture, Sabine Schatz, expressed being "appalled by the recent incident involving FPÖ National Council President Walter Rosenkranz." The National Council President represents the Republic, she said in a statement. "By deliberately having himself photographed in front of this painting - which in recent years was always covered by his predecessors - he sends an undisguised message about his understanding of history and culture and damages the reputation of the Parliament."

Criticism Also Came from the Greens

Other institutions like the State Opera had "acted long ago and dealt with works by Eisenmenger in their premises." The National Council President should initiate a confrontation and processing of the work of the Nazi painter and the painting in Parliament.

Criticism also came from the Greens: "Walter Rosenkranz decides for himself how he represents his office and thus the Republic. The fact that he apparently deliberately stages himself in front of the work of a known Nazi and one of Adolf Hitler's favorite painters, instead of covering the painting like his predecessors, is revealing," said the Greens' spokesperson for right-wing extremism, Lukas Hammer, to "tag eins." Previous National Council Presidents had the mural "Coat of Arms" by the controversial NSDAP artist covered.

In the office of Rosenkranz, a written statement was provided to "tag eins", which is also available to the APA, pointing out that the painting was not always covered under other presidents: "There is no break with a tradition. Through research in the media library on the Parliament's website, one can see that the mentioned mural, which is a protected monument, was not covered under several predecessors who had their office in this room." It was also noted that photos were repeatedly taken - "with guests from home and abroad. Currently, the mural is to be seen in context," it was stated.

Criticism of Rosenkranz for Pose in Front of Painting by NS Painter

The spokesperson for the Parliamentary Directorate, Karl-Heinz Grundböck, emphasized in a written statement that the biography of Rudolf Eisenmenger is known to the Parliamentary Directorate. Regardless, the mural is covered by monument protection - this was also discussed during the parliament renovation.

Since the mural - "unlike the State Opera and municipal buildings" - is not located in a generally publicly accessible area, the path of contextualization was not chosen, but rather that of covering. For this, a painting by the artist Hubert Scheibl was selected. Following the expiration of the two-year loan contract with Scheibl at the end of 2024, the painting titled "Dave" was returned.

"A renewed covering, as well as an appointment to the currently vacant position of an art curator for the Parliament, is currently being discussed," said Grundböck. Regardless, an information sheet about the painting "Wappenschild" and Rudolf Eisenmenger will be provided for visitors in the office of the President of the National Council.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.