The artwork titled “Battle Weary Troops Retreating – Battle of the Somme” was created by Otto Dix in 1924. This piece is part of the Expressionism art movement and belongs to the genre of battle paintings. It is included in the series “The War (Der Krieg), 1924.”
The artwork depicts a group of fatigued soldiers retreating after the intense and grueling Battle of the Somme during World War I. The soldiers are portrayed in a somber, almost mournful manner, with their weary expressions and slumped postures visibly conveying the immense toll the battle has taken on their spirits and bodies. The use of lines and shading captures the harsh realities and emotional depth of war, characteristic of the Expressionist style. Otto Dix’s detailed rendering emphasizes the physical exhaustion and psychological trauma experienced by the troops, making this piece a poignant reflection on the brutality of war.
