The artwork “Corpse of a Horse” by Otto Dix, created in 1924, belongs to the Expressionism art movement and is categorized within the animal painting genre. This piece is part of the series “The War (Der Krieg),” also from the year 1924.
In the artwork, one is confronted with a stark and visceral depiction of a horse’s cadaver. The animal’s lifeless body is splayed on the ground, with limbs awkwardly positioned and rigor mortis evident. The expressive lines and intense contrasts used by Dix evoke a disturbing reality, emphasizing the brutal and grotesque aftermath of war. This visual representation underscores the devastating impact of conflict, not just on human life but on animals as well, encapsulating the narrative of suffering and ruin inherent in the broader series, “The War.”
