The term Junge Wilde (German for "wild youth") 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.
Contents
Artistic movement
In 1978, the Junge Wilde painting style arose 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 (New-Image-Painting) and France (Figuration Libre). The Junge Wilde painted their expressive paintings in bright, intense colors and with quick, broad brushstrokes. They were sometimes called the Neue Wilde (de:Neue Wilde).
Influential artists
Later usage
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 (particularly against Helmut Kohl).
Since then the term has also been applied to members of other parties.