# Otto Dix

> German painter and printmaker (1891–1969)

**Wikidata**: [Q153104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q153104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/otto-dix

## Summary
Otto Dix was a German painter and printmaker whose life and work spanned from 1891 to 1969. He is best known for his visual arts contributions, including the triptychs "Metropolis" and "The War," as well as his tenure as a university teacher at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. A prominent figure in 20th-century art, he was affiliated with major institutions such as the Prussian Academy of Arts and the Academy of Arts of the GDR.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 2, 1891
- **Died:** July 25, 1969
- **Nationality:** German
- **Full Name:** Wilhelm Heinrich Otto Dix
- **Education:** Dresden Academy of Fine Arts
- **Known for:** Painting, printmaking, and visual arts; works such as "Metropolis" and "The War"
- **Employer(s):** Dresden Academy of Fine Arts
- **Field(s):** Visual arts, painting
- **Occupations:** Painter, printmaker, draftsperson, lithographer, university teacher

## Contributions
- **"Metropolis" (1927):** Created a triptych painting currently housed in the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.
- **"The War" (1930):** Produced a triptych and predella held at the Galerie Neue Meister in Dresden, Germany.
- **"Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden" (1926):** Painted a notable portrait of the journalist Sylvia von Harden.
- **Artistic Genres:** Contributed to a wide array of art genres, including portrait painting, landscape painting, genre art, nude, still life, religious art, mythological painting, and animal painting.
- **Academic Leadership:** Served as a university teacher at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, influencing the field of art education.

## FAQs
**What are Otto Dix's most famous works?**
Otto Dix is renowned for the triptych "Metropolis" (1927), the triptych and predella "The War" (1930), and the "Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden" (1926).

**Where did Otto Dix receive his education?**
He was educated at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts.

**What awards did Otto Dix receive?**
He was a recipient of the Medal Carl von Ossietzky and was named an honorary citizen of the city of Gera.

**Which art academies was Otto Dix associated with?**
He was a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts and the Academy of Arts of the GDR, and he was employed by the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts.

**What art genres did Otto Dix practice?**
His work encompassed portrait painting, landscape painting, genre art, nude, still life, religious art, mythological painting, and animal painting.

## Why They Matter
Otto Dix holds a significant place in art history due to his unflinching visual documentation of the societal impact of World War I and World War II. His inclusion on the list of authors banned during the Third Reich highlights the controversial and powerful nature of his work, which challenged the political norms of his time. As a member of both the Prussian Academy of Arts and the Academy of Arts of the GDR, his career bridged distinct eras of German history, influencing the trajectory of visual arts through his teaching and his diverse portfolio of genres ranging from portraits to religious art.

## Notable For
- Creation of the triptych "Metropolis" in 1927.
- Creation of the triptych and predella "The War" in 1930.
- Painting the "Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden" in 1926.
- Membership in the Prussian Academy of Arts.
- Membership in the Academy of Arts of the GDR.
- Employment as a university teacher at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts.
- Receiving the Medal Carl von Ossietzky.
- Being named an honorary citizen of Gera.
- Inclusion on the list of authors banned during the Third Reich.

## Body
### Identity and Background
Wilhelm Heinrich Otto Dix was a German human born on December 2, 1891, and he died on July 25, 1969. He is distinct from the Russian darkwave band that shares his name. As a citizen of Germany, his life and career were deeply intertwined with the major historical events of the 20th century, specifically World War I and World War II.

### Education and Career
Dix's formal artistic training took place at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, an institution with a history dating back to 1764. Following his education, he returned to the academy to serve as a university teacher, contributing to the development of future artists. His professional roles were multifaceted; he was recognized as a painter, printmaker, draftsperson, and lithographer.

### Artistic Works and Genres
Otto Dix's oeuvre is characterized by a diverse engagement with visual arts. He worked extensively in painting and printmaking, exploring genres such as portrait painting, landscape painting, and genre art. His repertoire also included the nude, still life, religious art, mythological painting, and animal painting.

Among his most significant creations are three major works:
*   **"Metropolis" (1927):** This triptych is held in the collection of the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.
*   **"The War" (1930):** This triptych and predella is displayed at the Galerie Neue Meister in Dresden.
*   **"Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden" (1926):** A specific portrait painting that remains a noted part of his body of work.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Throughout his career, Dix was affiliated with several prestigious arts organizations. He was a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts, a state arts academy established in Berlin in the late 17th century. Additionally, he was involved with the Academy of Arts of the GDR, an academy of arts in the German Democratic Republic that was established in 1950.

### Recognition and Legacy
Dix received formal recognition for his contributions to art and culture. He was awarded the Medal Carl von Ossietzky and was named an honorary citizen of Gera, the city that also houses the Otto-Dix-Haus museum. His work was deemed significant enough to be suppressed by the Nazi regime, leading to his inclusion on the list of authors banned during the Third Reich. This historical context underscores the enduring impact and provocative nature of his artistic legacy.

## References

1. RKDartists
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
4. BnF authorities
5. Museum of Modern Art online collection
6. Union List of Artist Names
7. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art online collection
8. Czech National Authority Database
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10. [Collectie Boijmans Online](https://www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/artworks/166254/cat)
11. [Otto Dix 50ster Todestag Gedenkstunde. 2019](https://foerderverein-museum-haus-dix.de/25-07-2019-otto-dix-50ster-todestag-gedenkstunde/)
12. [Otto Dix](http://www.knerger.de/html/dixbild__kunst.html)
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15. [Source](https://gera.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=15722)
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23. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-113170)
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27. SNAC
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38. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
39. [Source](https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/049626/2016-04-27/)
40. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta)
41. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta_iii)
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45. [Source](https://mijn.pictoright.nl/user/Content_LedenLijstDetails.cfm?Type=R&No=BI-10571)
46. [ADAGP directory](https://www.adagp.fr/fr/mysearch/rp_rights?keyword=Otto+Dix)
47. LIBRIS. 2012
48. ADAGP directory
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50. [Source](https://www.fine-arts-museum.be/nl/de-collectie/artist/dix-otto-1)