The artwork “Match seller” is a genre painting by the artist Otto Dix, created in 1920. This painting is characteristic of Dix’s critical realist style and belongs to the New Objectivity movement that emerged in post-World War I Germany, which aimed to depict the reality of the time with an unsparing eye for detail and social criticism.
The artwork portrays a street scene focused on a disfigured vendor seated on the ground. The seller, likely a war veteran judging by the nature of his injuries, is shown with a distorted, almost grotesque face, missing limbs, and holds an open box of matches for sale. He wears a brown jacket, and a cap is perched atop his head. Upon closer inspection, one can discern that he is seated at a corner near some shop windows.
Around him, life goes on undisturbed: a pair of legs clad in elegant white stockings and black heeled shoes strides past, ignoring the match seller’s existence. This sharp contrast highlights the social indifference to the suffering of war veterans who struggled to reintegrate into society after the war.
A dog appears to be the only creature paying any attention to the man, as it looks up at him. The man’s facial expression is difficult to interpret due to the distortion, but it suggests a mix of resignation and plea. This evocative composition prompts viewers to contemplate themes of war, disfigurement, rejection, and poverty, and the coldness of society toward the people who have sacrificed for their country. Dix, through this compelling scene, offers a stark commentary on the alienation and hardship faced by many in the aftermath of war.
