We are a non-profit historical art museum dedicated to the study of modern nationalism and the preservation of its cultural artifacts. Through the medium of art, we hope to educate our patrons on the history and philosophy behind early 20th century revolutionary nationalism.

Fascism can be understood as the natural evolution of romantic nationalism, identifying and embracing the unique cultural characteristics responsible for bestowing a nation with its sense of identity. The ideology of Fascism is not only malleable, but fundamentally adaptive, taking on nation-specific forms rather than being a universally applicable and generic political theory. Whether it be traditional Italian Fascism, German National Socialism or Japanese State Shintoism, each nation’s idiosyncratic conception of Fascism is advised by their respective indigenous belief systems, folklore and history to be in consonance with the local polity and to invigorate these cultural traits. Reflecting this ethos, ethnospecific symbolism feature prominently in the Fascist aesthetic. Distilled of the perceived decadent impurities of postmodernism, its art offers an unclouded view into a nation’s soul and the spiritual essence of its people.

No conventional political explanation seems to account for such an alien phenomenon and in many ways Fascism remains an enigma today. Yet its state-sponsored art reveals a potent idealism. A central political tenet within Fascist thought is known as ‘palingenesis’, meaning the rebirth of an organism with ancestral characteristics, understood within this political context as the rebirth of a nation. In bridging the divide between classicism and futurism, Fascism draws upon a mythologized view of the past, not as a return to antiquity but as a vision for the future that remains indelibly rooted in tradition. It is through this temporality that Fascism imbues the present with purpose. This dichotomy of modernity and tradition is a recurring theme in Fascist art, juxtaposing historic subject matter with modern rendition techniques. Emphasizing simplicity, the Fascist aesthetic is striking and evocative, extolling classical virtues such as justice, self-sacrifice, duty and bravery.

While comprehending the history behind a particular piece of artwork augments its value beyond the aesthetic by framing it with context, this insight then allows the artwork to illuminate the ephemeral zeitgeists of a bygone era and their societies only expressible through, and inextricably linked to, its cultural artifacts. It is this reciprocal synergism that allows for history to be deciphered through an acutely human-oriented approach that supersedes any accumulation of raw data. There is no better application for this methodology than in unraveling the spectre of Fascism.

Here at Imperium Gallery, our mission is to curate a world-class collection of historical relics that embody the aforementioned artistic and philosophical qualities to forge a window into the past. We hold an unwavering commitment to intellectual integrity, free speech and honesty. We do not endorse any form of racism or antisemitism.