The artwork “Metropolis” is a creation by Otto Dix, dating from the period of 1927 to 1928. This work is rendered using a mixed technique on wood and is exemplary of the Verism movement. As a genre painting, it reflects and critiques societal aspects of the time it was conceived.
“Metropolis” presents a triptych structure, with three distinct panels providing a narrative tableau. The left panel renders a subterranean cityscape where war cripples and impoverished individuals converge, possibly representing the past or the hidden underbelly of society. Stark contrast is evident in the central panel, which is bursting with the vibrant life of a modern dancehall. Men and women are depicted in a state of joy and excess, dancing to the energetic tunes of a brass band. Figures in glamorous attire signify a society engrossed in hedonism, perhaps reflective of the 1920s Berlin nightlife. The right panel seems to carry a more subdued and somber tone, with masked and costumed figures in a more stately environment, which could indicate the fragile facade of the upper-class society or reveal a poignant sense of alienation and decay beneath the surface gaiety. Through “Metropolis,” Dix offers a layered commentary on the disparities and contradictions of the Weimar Republic, capturing the tumultuous social dynamic of the era.
