Otto Dix - Controversial painter of the New Objectivity movement

Otto Dix was born in 1891 and was a German painter and printmaker. He was well known for his ruthless and harshly realisitc depictions of German society during the Weimar Republic and the overall brutality of war. Together with Max Beckmann and George Grosz, he is considered to be one of the most important artists of the movement of the so called "Neue Sachlichkeit" ("New Objectivity"). His experiences of World War I influenced him greatly as a painter and his first great subjects were crippled soldiers. Later on he also painted nudes and often savagely satirical portraits of celebrities from Germany's intellectual circles. In the early 1930s, he became a target of the Nazis and his work became darker and more allegorical. Slowly but gradually he moved away from social themes and turned to draw Christian subjects and landscapes.
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Some of his most famous paintings are "Skat Players (Card-Playing War Cripples)" (1920), "Portrait of the Lawyer Dr. Fritz Glaser" (1921), "Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden" (1926), "The War" (1929-1932), "Seven Deadly Sins" (1933), "Self Portrait with Palette before Red Curtain" (1942).
Original title: Otto Dix - The Painter is the Eye of the World
2008 © Licensed by Poorhouse International

[@bllewis52]

Otto Dix was not an underrated artist. It will ever be unpopular to depict ugliness, pain, and perhaps truth. His war work is guttwrenching and extraordinarily emotional. Thanks for the video. Had not heard of him but unlikely to forget Mr. Dix.

[@perspicaciouscritic]

@bllewis52 (who wrote, "Otto Dix was not an underrated artist"): By "underrated", I believe the commenter meant that Otto Dix was not mentioned in the same breath as Picasso, Van Gogh or Matisse. The fact you (and many in the comment section) never heard of him only underscores that. So, by that definition, the artist was underrated. But it does not take away from his talent and gifts. (Hence the term underrated.)

[@joekrebs964]

Let me recommend a book by taschen publishing on him.

[@polar199]

maybe

[@kellybrown7671]

If you aren't really into art then I guess he's underrated. Can think of at least 2-dozen others that should be better known.

[@amymalina5073]

Otto Dix has become one of my most favorite artists. Learned of him last June, 2022 at an amazing show at the Pompidou in Paris on German Objectivism. He is astounding!

[@johncrane3858]

I personally believe he is the greatest artist of the 20th century

[@amymalina5073]

@@johncrane3858 I can totally understand why you say that. He was extraordinary. And to think so many people know nothing about him and his work. That show at the Pompidou was one of the best shows I ever saw.

[@jonnyholmberg]

Thank you for a touching portrait of an honest and brave artist who knew what suffering was and still managed to preserve his humanity.

[@andersliljevall2946]

Faboulous painter. And now this european nightmare is brought back again by a Russia.that didn't learn anything

[@user-qk3sc8rq9r]

The man had crazy ability and lucky for us the energy and creativity to produce so much fantastic artwork. A really great portrait, well done.

[@LockportDan]

Wonderful documentary. I knew a little of his work but never before realized what an extraordinary and unique artist he was. Thank you.

[@glousy8300]

I'm here because I went through a huge academic modern art textbook a ways back. I have forgotten almost every artist I read about, but I never forgot the work of Otto Dix.

[@cheri238]

What an artist, one I did not know about. Love his work. ❤️Thank you

[@sardis6619]

Great artist! Wise, insightful, humane, down to earth. And honest. Truly, through his eyes we see ourselves

[@bestplayeralive]

Thank you for posting this. He is one of the most underrated artists of all time.

[@lk9195]

I think in German Museums he is displayed quiet ok. Also have seen his Works in Centre Pompidou last year at the Exhibition about Neue Sachlichkeit. But of course it cant be mentioned enough how important is his work as documenting his time when it comes to politics and war. Best wishes

[@bestplayeralive]

@@lk9195 yeah you're an art enthusiast. Obviously you should be very familiar. I've never heard anyone claim that he's their favorite. You people don't like him because you don't consider his work to be ground breaking.

[@lk9195]

@@bestplayeralive I adore his work and he is next to George Grosz one of the most celebrated and axknowledged critical artists of Weimarer Republik. Maybe you even can find a work of him in a Museum close to him.

[@bestplayeralive]

@@lk9195 you're talking about a governing body from +100 years ago. The topic I'm discussing is about contemporary appreciation. I only hear about him from places like this, where it is thier role to educate people on art history. Amongst artists when you ask who are your biggest influences in art, today in 2023 not many artists will name him. It's a shame but it reflects everyone's current focus on modern art and performance art. Pushing the boundaries of expression. Scholars and instructors are the few people keeping his work relevant.

[@SebastianGrantElKiva]

Not underrated by my dad, that’s why I’m an artist.

[@demetriosnikolianos1912]

Otto Dix, since i was very young has been my beloved person and my great consolation . The selection of divine masterpieces presented here is commendable. He certainly paints for Art and does not care about the opinion of the crowd.

[@HeiderosesPhotograph]

Otto Dix was a fascinating painter and portrayed the war like it really is. I saw an exhibition of those war paintings in 1990 or 1991 in Stuttgart Germany close to the Kleinen Schlossplatz and the Koenigstrasse. Those paintings were as real as the war itself.

[@adavis5926]

Thank you. Otto Dix is one of my favorite artists. His work is featured in a novel I have nearly finished writing.

[@KetchupCanvas]

This was a very cool documentary! I didn't know Otto Dix before but his art is incredible and he was an incredible man. I'll be looking more into his work! Thanks!

[@Amivgr1]

Outstanding artist

[@pasikiiski]

Best War Artist of all times.

[@1madmaxx80]

Thank you so much for the upload! Dix is one of my favorite artists 👍😎

[@evennorthug2585]

Never heard of Otto Dix. Now I'll remember his name for the rest of my life. Thanks!

[@MrZmair]

Obrigado pela partilha, não conhecia o artista mas fiquei fascinado com a sua obra! Otto DIx fez história.

[@mikemmikem2758]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary. I was enthralled and mesmerized the moment I came upon this film.

[@MM-fb9fi]

His paintings of war show the pitilessness truth of war. I thank him for not glorifying it as it is not to be glorified. He shows it as it is in all its horror. Long Have I been a fan of the german expressionists but this presentation, this continuity of his talent is not something I have seen. Thank you.

[@toasterdestodes8034]

Thank you very much

[@darylcumming7119]

Thank you .

[@barbaraobrai381]

What a powerful observer of raw life. I am in awe of him.

[@gabchaim8232]

Otto Dix has got it all. Mastership, humour, urge. Like Francisco de Goya. Dix' Christ at 50:30 brought me to tears. Piano fragment 'On The Overgrown Path' from Leos Janacek under the final credits should have been mentioned.

[@nicholasjagger6557]

Thank you for posting this, a tribute to a great artist.

[@concheta100]

That was truly amazing ,incredible artist.thank-you

[@blanchegreco7201]

This was very interesting. Thank you

[@privateart]

thank you

[@numbersix8919]

Thanks so much for this video of Dix.

[@_specialneeds]

I find that some of the best art frightens, angers, challenges, upsets the safe bubble people live in, a little pain to disrupt the numbness. As an anarchist I appreciate this man's work.

[@carolineduncan6329]

😢😮A very apt description!

[@billsmith380]

Anarchist, I think not. An Anarchist does not announce his presence on popular social media. His announcement and proclamations are through his anarchy deeds. Wanna be at best.

[@danceswithbadgers]

I am not an anarchist yet find his work fascinating for much the same reasons. I wonder what that means, if anything. Perhaps I'm a nihilist.

[@3ehahn]

⁠@@billsmith380what BS ! Are there any other rules you have made up about what “real“ anarchists must do? Pomposity on display

[@tomrees4812]

I was lucky to be on a trip to London when the Tate Modern had the Magical Realism exhibition a couple of years ago which include some of his work.

[@j0nnyism]

The variety of his work is stunning. What a talented artist

[@herraman2244]

Very well done.

[@SBClaude]

Thank you for this brand deeply moving video. Dix lives!!!

[@SBClaude]

Not “brand”, beautiful

[@elementChaosu]

Seen the war triptych years ago in Dresden gallery and I think I'll never forget it. It was raw, brutal, hopeless, desperate and uninviting,. On pc display it has not the impact as in full size, and i think, there are only few more paintings depicting wars dirt, misery and futility as good as this one. Thank you for interesting video.

[@shable1436]

It was over 20 years ago that I had an encounter with an evil spirit that showed me that all wars are created by them. Heaps of corpses from every conflict that man has ever been in, as far as you could see, tall as mountains all the while it was laughing at me sending me mental messages like I've got your soul, your mine already, and just evil thoughts of torture. I couldn't move, I was sweating and fought for my life to utter the words help Jesus. And I was released immediately and the shadow figure vaporized into dust in my room. These paintings reminds me of the hopelessness I felt that night, and it's true that war is pure evil, and the ones in charge of making it are too

[@kimmarsh5387]

Great Documentary,he is truly a great artist.

[@letsif]

Otto Dix's great works are relevant in every age. Unfortunately...

[@MicaFarrierRheayan]

Love the crude styles

[@gushutchinson8758]

Otto Dix was brilliant

[@Vinterbukser]

Great, but not sure about the tinkly 70s jazz piano at 35:50. The music just prior to this was fitting, but this jaunty piano piece was totally incongruent to the visuals: /

[@glousy8300]

I enjoyed the film but how could it possibly not include "nighttime encounter with a madman"?

[@LockportDan]

Enjoying the video. For me, the backround music is too loud and unnecessary but it seems everything nowadays has to be accompanied by a soundtrack.

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

One of my favourite artists of all time... Thanks for this portrait of one of the most important artists of the era. (imho)

[@williamgorden6390]

Very good very good. I think they went a little overboard with The dramatics; after all, his paintings tell the whole story.

[@nicolasrose3064]

Make your own version then, "they" won't mind.

[@anoshya]

At a dinner party my wife said” I’ve always liked Dix”

[@ArtPhotographerLindsay]

Your wife obviously has good taste. ((:

[@normanmerrill1241]

Excellent documentary…my appreciation for Dix, his paintings and philosophy, are firmly secure in my mind…thanks

[@pennyloafers]

What is the music that starts at 18:43? Google says its "The Westerlies" but they were not a band in 1989 when this was released. Their song "The Light Within" shares similarities but is not the same recording. Probably a cover, but googling around is near impossible to find anything.

[@pennyloafers]

It really is the song Google says it is, they must have spiced up the music and called this a new documentary.

[@hansmaulwurf6899]

what is that piano music when the triptichon comes up? It's so beautiful. I have to know

[@darrinheaton2614]

It sounds like a piano work by Keith Garret.

[@hansmaulwurf6899]

@@darrinheaton2614 thanks. I'm going to check this out

[@NonameNoname-pz9dh]

О фильме:интересные приемы "оживления" живописного изображения использованы в фильме "Палитра памяти" 2004г белаоусского режиссера А. КАРПОВА мл. Кажется есть и вариант на немецком...

[@2008Bruges]

Excellent work!

[@Shmarful]

what is the song at 35 min 10 sec

[@life_is_gr8]

Does anybody know the name of the painting at 18:54?

[@evelynramos445]

Gorgeous work😅

[@DPHZH67996B]

I could also draw this kind of caricature today in a similar way. People sometimes don't look good these days either.

[@andyhuwe8462]

Im so glad not having a single Painting from Otto Dix in my home.

[@leo47443]

the superlative version of the genial charleston...

[@Nashvillain10SE]

The thumbnail looks like actor Tim Roth

[@Waferdicing]

🥺

[@mygreatbigfoot1679]

Size?

[@maluribeiro68]

THere's so much that could have been said or explained ... o many teaching opportunities missed ... and we don't really get a sense of his life, of his response to many things... styles are referred to but not explained ... there's no consistency, when one style is explained, then many things happen which are not, then suddenly there's an explanation of a new style ... we don't even know where his illegitimate daughter comes from, I mean, yeah, we gather it must have been from Martha's sister, which is mentioned at a super awkward moment with no connection to the visual ... Martha appears in the end again, so they must have stayed in touch beyond the kids, which we don't know what happened when they divorced, and don't know how Martha comes bak to the picture ... It's really not smooth or cohesive, nor consistent .. and I don't think people understand in terms of design what's happening, what makes his style one things or another, most of the time ...

[@sophiaperennis2360]

What was wrong with the old objectivity?

[@karllieck9064]

I see a precursor to Francis Bacon in Dix's distortions of the human form.

[@atheransari8038]

Very goog

[@ausendundeinenacht1]

he is considered to be one of the most important artists FULL STOP HE S BRILLIANT

[@dawnsalois]

thanks for the post

[@guldenaydin9918]

⚘️.

[@williamroberts1819]

Great!

[@karl-petermerz2189]

anderes und darum Gut,!!!!!

[@byronmillanicia3384]

Dude he even influenced the creators of the Simpsons he painted Mister burns !!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@MegaDonzee]

Wow, such a prescient man! Wonderful work!

[@edwards8545]

Waiting patiently to hear how the name is pronounced...

[@serkanileriart]

Otto Dix ,Tik tok ve KZbin Shorts videolarını görse acımasız betimlemelerinden vaz geçerdi.

Fantastic. Love him!

[@tarczy15]

Excelente documental de un gran artista, Otto Dix!!! Gracias!!!

[@hulonthesurvivor5884]

Watching this (March 2023)..

[@carolynbeldin4275]

Ominous method spiraling repeats taken to level created heights…Repeat Animaux Des Bois calm the mind, relax the body, quiet…Time for another story, saw a bright light to artistic freedom…

[@SJonathanGarcia]

Wow! Impressive! This artist, i have never heard of him before, so I'm greatful that you decided to make such well done video and having the luck to come across. His art is so intriguing to me, I really enjoyed watching it. So thanks again.

[@chrisreynoldsartwork]

Not sure if it has anything to do with the time some painters were doing their work but I find a lot of them aren't very good artistically. The narrator can say how wonderful something is but what I see is something a kid could have done. There are some artists I can see are very good but others, just basic and somewhat cartoon like...

[@Sharperthanu1]

They call this NEW?

[@evelynramos445]

Similar to Armenian Armenian

[@johnnicholas1488]

Dix is interesting. But a bit too sanguine to have any lasting value.

[@ufukduguk839]

Otto kuzurs bakma Sana bvurmam ot iclerim benim otu iclerim esasin oyle BI aliskanligin Verdi ama ot icmesini brakdim

[@GenaroRomanjr-gc2rv]

Mr.otto Dix paints a part of history in a Mardi gras flavor.

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Watching this on International Womens Day, after 20 mins I'd had enough of his brutal misogynistic portrayals of women. Not reality as the narrator wrongly declares. Instead it appears Dix had issues with womens' bodies and flesh. Not my problem...his..

[@w00tzorsaurus]

Exactly it’s not your problem; see them for what they are, paintings and you can understand something about the time and the artist if you so desire, if not then that’s fine too. Though I’m not sure he hated women, symbolically the woman has been used in history, and the nazis as symbol of beauty, virginity, youth so instead he paints the opposite. I also do not see any attractive male characters, they are often vile and falling apart. Misanthropic maybe but not misogynistic in my opinion.

[@newtronix]

Such a confined view of the world you have. Look at it from a human perspective not a gender one.

[@weirdguy4948]

Lame

[@VagoniusThicket]

It’s not about you or your problems with identity.🤦🏻‍♂️

[@tonirose6776]

@@w00tzorsaurus Vile in depiction, but shown realistically, either in war or in peacetime during the inter-war period when there was a severe depression in Germany (and elsewhere). He chose to show the ugly truth, and lost his teaching job when the Nazis came into power. His pregnant daughter is a beautiful painting, not misogynistic. AS another woman honouring IWD, these are my impressions.

[@mortysnerd]

I think his work sucks; it's just hype.

[@johnburman966]

Sadly art today seems to relish ugliness. Of course the mind/ego is a construct, an image storing system that regurgitates it's own garbage....until the self realises that it needn't do this.

[@spudspuddy]

they always make such ugly depressing paintings

[@G.v.5049]

Tolle Doku

[@Fabric-Layerism]

Thanks, very good film on Otto Dix

[@TheNoblot]

the war is here where are the artist 🎨 the women the support the hands souls and beauty of inspiration🩰🍓👙😉