Junge Wilde


The term Junge Wilde was originally applied to trends within the art world, and was only later used with reference to politics. At present, the term is used by German-language journalists to describe any group within a tradition that seeks to undermine established authority.

Artistic movement

In 1978, the Junge Wilde painting style arose in the German-speaking world in opposition to established avant garde, minimal art and conceptual art. It was linked to the similar Transavantguardia movement in Italy, USA and France. The Junge Wilde painted their expressive paintings in bright, intense colors and with quick, broad brushstrokes very much influenced by Professor at the Academy of Art in Berlin, Karl Horst Hödicke. They were sometimes called the Neue Wilde.

Influential artists

The term Junge Wilde began to be used by the media in the 1990s with reference to a certain group of politicians who bucked party leadership to make their names. It was first used with reference to the German CDU party.
Since then the term has also been applied to members of other parties.