“Longing, Self-Portrait” by the esteemed artist Otto Dix is a notable work within the Expressionism movement, classified as a self-portrait and currently housed at Galerie Neue Meister in Dresden, Germany. This vivid and compelling artwork is a profound example of Dix’s exploration of personal identity and emotion, conveyed through the expressive and often unsettling visual language of the Expressionist style.
In the artwork, multiple contorted faces blend into one another, each marked by exaggerated features and intense colors. The central face, with its wide-open mouth displaying dark teeth and vivid red lips, suggests a visceral expression of longing or anguish. Surrounding faces exhibit varying emotions, while elements such as the sun and moon intertwine with foliage, adding symbolic layers to the portrayal. The use of bold, contrasting colors and distorted forms exemplifies the Expressionist focus on conveying the inner emotional reality rather than external appearances. This self-portrait by Otto Dix stands as a poignant testament to the artist’s introspection and mastery within the Expressionist genre.
