Du sollst keine anderen Götter haben (1917)

General music director Hans Ruff, a celebrated composer, is currently wholly absorbed in his new musical opus, which will be called “Saint Elisabeth.” In order to devote himself entirely to high art, the maestro neglects his relationship with Ingeborg Meding, a renowned opera singer, who consequently breaks things off with him. Hans then decides to spend the summer in the country with his elderly father, where his cousin Luise is also waiting. Shortly before leaving, Ruff accepts an invitation from his friend, the painter Erich von Hagen, who has invited him to a small gathering in his studio. There, Ruff meets Doris Schneider, a much younger woman and the sister of a banker. Doris is completely fascinated by the great artist and secretly follows him to the mountain village, where Ruff intends to visit his elderly father and Luise, his father’s niece. They get along well and grow closer on their outings and walks together. Eventually, Hans and Doris marry. But their marriage is not blessed: Hans makes the same mistake he made with Ingeborg and neglects his wife, who then seeks happiness with another man. When Ruff hears about it, he is willing to have the marriage dissolved and even offers Doris a lifelong annuity. Ruff realizes that art means more to him than any relationship, and he now withdraws into the solitude of the mountain world. By this time, old Ruff has died, and Luise keeps house for Hans. Hans Ruff’s musical works meet with one success after another, and Luise begins to pay homage to her cousin: she gives him a bouquet of roses and presents him with a laurel wreath. With complete lack of modesty, Ruff accepts the wreath but carelessly pushes the roses aside, though they express Luise’s love beginning to bloom for him. He sees himself as a genius above the common people. But, according to his creed, a great artist is someone who cannot tolerate any “gods” beside him.