Johanna Cabrera

February 15, 2011

LEH 300

Otto Dix

Otto Dix was a German Painter born in December 1891. He is believed to be one of the most important artist of the Neue sachlichkeit. He joined the Academy of Applied Arts in 1910 where Richard Guhr was one of his teachers. During WWI he volunteered for the German Army. He was very Affected by the war, to the point of having nightmares.He was one of the founders of the Dresden Secession group in 1919 ,during this time his work was going through a expressionist time. Some of his most famous painting are triptych metropolis 1928, Sylvia von Harden, 1926 among others.

Portrait of The Journalist Sylvia Von Harden (1926)

I found this portrait very interesting because beauty did not take important place in it. Sylvia Von Harden was impressed that Dix wanted to paint her despite of her physical appearance but in what he was really interested was in her psychological condition. This portrait reflects a very independent woman who might contrast with the majority of woman at that time. Her short hair reflects an independence from the social standards of how a woman should have look like at that time.

  The Skat Players 1920

This painting shows three mutilated veterans. Their injuries have deformed them in such a way that they have to use their arms and feet in order to play. I think that this painting shows that even if some soldier survived their lives would never be the same. I believe in this painting Dix wanted people to understand that the war could change you in a negatively way and that those changes may not be reversible.

Wounded Soldier 1916

In this drawing Dix wanted to show the real face of the war. Dix is showing a soldier in real pain with disturbing expressions in the face. This is a very vivid image which reflects the horrific experiences the author went through during the war. I think the message of this painting is very clear; wars only lead to destruction and death.