[2] In 1888, a second painting, Exhibition of remains of Emperor William I in Berlin, solidified Kampf's artistic renown as a painter specializing in historical documentation.

Upon becoming dictator in 1933, Adolf Hitler gave his strong personal artistic preferences for classical and heroic themes the force of law to a degree rarely known before.

In 1939's "Great German Art Exhibition" (Große Deutsche Kunstausstellung) at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, he was represented by numerous works, including The Struggle of Light Against Darkness, on loan from the Reich Chancellery.

[6] Celebrated for his life's work of paintings, many of which concerned aspects of German history, Kampf was, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, added to the so-called "List of Immortals" (1939).

[8] In 1944, at the age of 79, Kampf was one of 24 artists, architects, authors, composers, actors, and singers added to the Gottbegnadeten list, meaning he was considered absolutely indispensable to German culture.

Kampf's work is most strongly associated with the genre of traditional history painting,[12] though throughout his lifetime he explored styles influenced by Impressionism and Art Nouveau.

[15] Critically reviewing street names, the Department of Geoinformation and Land Planning, supported by the City Archives of Aachen, announced in May, 2020 an initiative to explore details of Kampf's personal life.