Heinrich Hoffmann (1885 – 1957) served as Adolf Hitler’s official photographer from when Hitler took control of the Nazi party in 1921 until his death in 1945. Hoffmann estimates he took over half a million photographs of Hitler over the course of his career. His portraits were the most significant source of Nazi propaganda materials published over the course of close to 25 years, everything from postcards, posters, magazines, postage stamps and picture books. Click on eachtheme below to see a complete photo albumdevoted to that particular event or topic.
It was 88 years ago today, on 6 February 1936 that the fourth edition of the Winter Olympic Games returned to the Alps, this time in the Bavarian city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Held in the shadow of the Zugspitz, the highest peak in the German Alps, 755 athletes from 28 countries competed in 17 competitions. Joseph Goebbels, the Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, saw the Games as the perfect opportunity for National Socialist Germany to cultivate its image both at home and abroad. Even though Hitler was not a sports fan himself, he was well aware of how hosting the 1936 Winter and Summer Olympic Games would uplift Germany’s prestige around the world.
Poster for the 1936 Winter Games designed by Ludwig Hohlwein and distributed throughout the world in 13 different languages. The image shows a skier “hailing” an unseen person.
The opening ceremony occurred at 11:00 the morning of Thursday, 6 February 1936 in the Olympic Ski Stadium. Heavy snowfall didn’t deter close to 40,000 spectators from coming to witness the festivities. Attendance was so heavy that all available parking spaces were swiftly filled. Barrier chains were set up to keep people away from entering the ski stadium early and to separate the gathering crowd from the incoming stream of cars. Pedestrian traffic was especially dense in the immediate vicinity of the Olympia House, Hitler’s residence during the games, with a large proportion of visitors trying to pass by the entrance hoping to catch a glimpse of the Führer, who had arrived earlier that morning by train.
Adolf Hitler arrives by train in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 6 February 1936 early morning of the opening ceremony of the fourth Winter Olympiad.Adolf Hitler marches past his troops as he makes his way from the train station up to the Olympia Haus to deliver the opening address for the 1936 Winter Olympics.Adolf Hitler and Henri de Baillet-Latour, president of the IOC, on their arrival at the Olympia House the morning of the opening ceremony.Adolf Hitler being saluted as he walks out of the Olympia Haus in the snow to head to the opening ceremony.Adolf Hitler being saluted as he walks out of the Olympic House in the snow to head to the opening ceremony.German civilians greeting Chancellor Hitler at the opening ceremony of the IV Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.German civilians greeting Adolf Hitler at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.Adolf Hitler shaking hands with Karl Ritter von Halt, the organizer of the IV Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, at the opening ceremony.The snowflakes swirl wildly as the Führer and Chancellor is greeted by the President of the Organising Committee, Dr. Ritter von Halt, to open the IV Olympic Winter Games as patron.IV. Olympische Winterspiele 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.- Eröffnungsfeier mit Adolf Hitler 6 February 1936. Adolf Hitler and Henri de Baillet-Latour (2.r.), president of the I.O.C., during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, IV. Olympische Winterspiele 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.- Eröffnungsfeier. Adolf Hitler (Porträt).Press Photo of Adolf Hitler, Rudolf Hess & Henri de Baillet Latour during the opening ceremony at the Winter Olympics in 1936. Adolf Hitler speaks to the crowd of 40,000. “I declare the IVth Olympic Winter Games 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to be open.”Press photograph of Adolf Hitler, Rudolf Hess & Henri de Baillet Latour during the opening ceremony of the Olympics in 1936. At the Olympic Games in 1936, the German crowd gives the Nazi salute as the American flag is carried at the head of U.S. Olympic team walking past the reviewing stand of the host, Reichleader Adolf Hitler, who is pictured in semi-silhouette at the right.Adolf Hitler sits with members of his government on the balcony of the Olympia House in the Ski Stadium, shortly after he spoke the inaugural words for the IV Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Feb. 6, 1936. Adolf Hitler and members of his staff enjoying the opening show. Olympians from all over the world paraded past swastika banners and in front of a crowd giving the Nazi salute. Hitler demanded that all competing athletes must salute him as they marched in the ceremony, but the United States Olympic team did not comply with his request.Since the Führer and Reich Chancellor remained in the Olympia House of the ski stadium after the opening ceremony, a large part of the audience did not disperse, but instead pushed towards the Olympia House to see the Führer.
Since Adolf Hitler remained in the Olympia House at the stadium after the opening ceremony, a large part of the audience didn’t disperse at the conclusion of the event, but pushed in towards the residence to see the Führer. It appeared that Hitler himself had become the main attraction, and this was clearly much to his delight.
Adolf Hitler bei der Eröffnungsfeier der Olympischen Winterspiele.Olympic Winter Games, Winter Olympics 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler arrives at the Ice Sports Stadium to attend the skating competition. Note the chains present on the spare tires in preparation for travel in snow and ice. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler waves to a crowd from an open car as he leaves the ice skating stadium following pairs competition at the Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on 12 February 1936. Adolf Hitler leaves the ice sports stadium at the Olympic winter games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen while his supporters cheer him.
Sonja Henie, the Norwegian figure skater and film star, was the women’s individual skating gold medal winner. Henie was especially smitten with the Führer. As fellow competitor Vivi-Anne Hultén later recalled, “Everybody said she became his girlfriend.” Henie was so popular with the German public that police even had to play crowd control as people without tickets fought to get into the arena to watch her skate. Hitler himself presented Henie with her Olympic gold medal, along with a giant autographed portrait of himself that Henie proudly displayed atop her piano in her Oslo home amongst her many awards and trophies. After receiving the special photo from Hitler, the Henie family graciously accepted an invitation to sit down and have lunch with him.
Sonja Henie, known as ‘The Ice Queen of Norway’ and ‘The White Swan’, would win her third gold medal in the women’s individual figure skating competition at the Gamisch-Partenkirchen Winter Olympics in Germany.
Sonja Henie is remembered as the first superstar of women’s figure skating after winning three gold medals in a row at the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Olympic Games. In the lead-up to the 1936 Winter Olympics in Germany, Henie was captured in newsreels overtly flirting with Adolf Hitler, fueling rumors of a romance with the Führer. The mutual infatuation had begun just over a month before in Munich, after Hitler had attended an ice skating performance by Sonja Henie in the Prinzregentenstadion on 4 January 1936. They continued to meet on several more occasions throughout the late 1930’s.
The infamous ‘Sonja and Hitler’ photograph which was circulated widely in American newspapers during the 1936 Winter Olympic Games.Fotografie (Stereobild) Olympische Winterspiele 6. – 16. Februar 1936Adolf Hitler attends a competition during the Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen In 1936.Adolf Hitler attends a ski jumping competition in Garmisch, 1936. The tribune of the Olympic House in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the Winter Olympics. Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Emmi Glöring and Joseph Goebbels watch the combined ski jumping competition.Nationalsozialismus. Olympische Winterspiele. Eröffnung mit (v.l.) Hermann Göring, Adolf Hitler und Joseph Goebbels.General Goering, Adolf Hitler and Dr Joseph Goebbels, with binoculars, on the balcony of the Olympia House at the ski stadium from where they watched the ski jumping contests during the Olympic Games in Garmisch, Bavaria, on 16 February 1936. Eva Braun rarely made a public appearance with Hitler, a rare exception was at the 1936 Winter Olympics, where she sat directly behind him during the women’s skating competition. From left to right: Dietrich, Almut [1900-1988] ; Dietrich, Otto [Reichspressechef, Obergruppenführer 1897-1952] ; Wagner, Adolf [Gauleiter, Minister, Obergruppenführer 1890-1944] ; Hitler, Adolf [Politician 1889-1945] ; Bechstein, Helene [Entrepreneur 1876-1951] ; Hoffmann, Erna [1904-1996] ; Braun, Eva [Employee 1912-1945] ; Stork, Sophie [Artist 1903-1981] ; Fegelein, Gretl [Employee 1915-1987].Eva Braun attends a skating competition during the Olympic Games in 1936, making a rare public appearance with Adolf Hitler.Cover photograph from a special edition of the German Newspaper “8-Uhr Blatt” about the Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1936.SA Chief of Staff Lutze, Goebbels, Reichssportführer von Tschammer and Osten, Hitler and Ritter von Halt at an ice skating competition in the ice stadium.Adolf Hitler takes in the Olympics alongside the head of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Göring (center with binoculars), and propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.
Cigarette cards were produced featuring dozens of scenes and highlights from the 1936 Olympic Games. ‘Sammelwerk Nr 13, Gruppe 55, Bild Nr 30’ from the set titled ‘OLYMPIA 1936 – Band I’ features members of Canada’s 1936 Olympic team taking a pause by the lake-rink at the Riessersee.
“The Canadian ice hockey team, previously undisputed world champions, contrary to all expectations, only came second in the tournament”
The work “Olympia 1936” is divided into two volumes. Volume l contains an exciting description of the wonderful Olympic competitions in Garmisch- Partenkirchen, a review of the Olympic Games since 1896 and a preview of the competition of nations in Berlin. The series includes 175 images, divided into four image groups 53-56.
Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels sign autographs at the Hockey match between Canada and United States on 16 February 1936 at the Winter Olympics.Adolf Hitler signs autographs at the Hockey match between Canada and United States on 16 February 1936 at the Winter Olympics.From right to left, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, General Werner von Blomberg, Joseph Goebbels and General Werner von Fritsch watch the final ski jumping contest in the Winter Olympics at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 16 February 1936.Group picture taken in the Grandstand of Honor during the Olympic wrestling competition. From left to right: Schaub, Julius [Adjutant, Obergruppenführer 1898-1967] ; Epp, Franz von [General, Reichsstatthalter 1868-1946] ; Goebbels, Joseph [Minister 1897-1945] ; Hitler, Adolf [Politician 1889-1945] ; Blomberg, Werner von [Minister, General Field Marshal 1878-1946] surrounded by laughing young women and men on 16 February 1936.Postcard of Führer and Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler with Olympic ski champions Christl Cranz and Käthe Grasegger. Hitler hosted a reception for them in his private apartment in Munich on 17 February 1936. Note Hitler’s extensive book collection behind them!The Führer welcomed the two German athletes, Christl Cranz and Käthe Grasegger, to his private residence in Munich and warmly congratulated them on their victory. “Reception of the Olympic champion in the alpine combination Christl Cranz (1914-2004) and the winner of the silver medal Käthe Grasegger (1917-2001) in Hitler’s private apartment. “Adolf Hitler peers out of the window of his residence at the Olympia House to greet the assembled crowd on the morning of the closing ceremonies on 16 January 1936.Adolf Hitler photographed on the balcony of his room at the Olympiahaus Hotel during the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 16 February 1936.
Western journalists reported on the heavy troop presence and maneuvers at Garmisch and that it had dampened the spirits of many visitors to the Games. As a result, the Nazi regime would minimize the military’s presence at the Summer Olympics in Berlin.
Adolf Hitler arrives for the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 16 February 1936.Adolf Hitler departs after the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 16 February 1936.
I love history and have always been infatuated with the design and style of the 1920’s. Unfortunately I can’t time travel back to this era, so I live vicariously through books, movies and photos.
This is a really fabulous article with loads of photographs I’ve never seen before! I’ve gone through it several times already. As usual, it is first class work and tremendous effort by you to put it all together so wonderfully – thank you!
I am so very glad you found this and THANK YOU!!! As you’ve probably noticed I’ve been Cancelled everywhere this week but somehow my WordPress site is thankfully still active. A woman that goes by Pink_Dahlia must be quite proud of herself, she’s been trying to Cancel me for months now since I’m such a “disgusting human being I deserve to die” and yet I’m the one getting falsely accused and slandered for “targeted harassment” and “abusive behavior”. I’ve never even engaged with or responded to this person, or ANYONE in that kind of manner EVER, but now I can no longer share my photographs and research, and all my contacts have been lost. This will leave a tremendous void in my life and I’m grieving the loss of such a wonderful community, but hey at least this one lady is happy and will apparently sleep much better at night knowing she “won”, so that’s all that matters I guess. PLEASE stay in touch here as long as this site stays live, I will be posting my photos from the Berlin Motor Show really soon! 🙏🙏🙏
Oh My God, no, I didn’t notice because I was busy and distracted with other things the past 1-2 days, but was about to get on Twitter to message you and send you a photo! I’m really upset and devastated, too – and angry because it’s so incredibly unfair! But I’ve been hearing about this kind of thing a lot: certain nasty people get to stay and report other innocent ones just because they don’t like what they’re posting. I’m so sorry!! Did Twitter just suspend you for a certain time period, or is this permanent? Can’t you appeal? I don’t know how it all works. They had better not mess with you here because this is a truly wonderful site and you’ve put so much work into these beautiful posts and articles! You can always contact me here: keeperwisdom@gmail.com if you like! Try to stay positive and keep your spirits up. I’m sure this is only a temporary setback!
It’s 100% permanent forever, I was stripped of all rights to appeal, which is not proper protocol as everyone else is always given 24 hours to withdraw any “harassing” or “threatening” content, but since that’s completely fabricated and never actually existed, they simply skipped over normal procedure, locked out all my IP addresses, deleted all my content, and threatened legal action if I ever even so much as look at their platform again. Screw that piece of crap platform. It’s probably going to fail soon anyway. I see people posting photos of corpses and torture and all kinds of vile hate speech but they just let those accounts carry on and on, so this was definitely a personal vendetta perhaps by an employee. Who cares. I’ve always been rejected and ostracized by human beings so I’ve learned not to give a crap and just go on doing the things I enjoy for my own enrichment and pleasure. Once in a while I get a whim to want to share my research and try to form connections with others but I always just get burned for it. Nobody will even notice I’m gone anyway. Sorry I do know you appreciate it, but I’m now down to 6 followers here and this website has really died off this year, but hopefully that means it’s totally off the radar so that would really be to my benefit! 😅 That’s my hope anyway, as it would be quite a blow to lose my one last connection to the world and the only source of real joy left in my life. 😞
[…] at the balcony of the Olympic House in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the opening ceremony of the 1936 Winter Olympic Games. Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels from Heinrich Hoffmann’s propaganda photo book ‘Abseits von […]
[…] grave. Adolf Hitler photographed on the balcony of his room at the Olympiahaus Hotel during the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 16 February 1936. Signed photo of Adolf Hitler in leather trench coat c. 1933. Adolf Hitler […]
[…] August 1936 the Games of the 11th Olympiad opened in Berlin, just six months after the success the Winter Olympics hosted in Garmish-Partenkirchen. Adolf Hitler greatly admired classical images of Greek gods and […]
Heinrich Hoffmann Photo Gallery 