The artwork, entitled “Plague German,” was created by Otto Dix in 1919 and belongs to the Expressionism art movement. It is a portrait that starkly captures the essence of its era through the lens of intense emotional experience.
The artwork features a monochromatic depiction of a man in military attire. The stylized drawing employs sharp, exaggerated lines to accentuate the figure’s prominent nose, pronounced chin, and angular features, with a particular focus on the stern expression of the subject. The uniform is rendered in minimal detail, emphasizing the form and structure rather than intricate attributes. The austerity and starkness of the lines evoke a sense of severity and desolation, reflective of the tumultuous post-war period in which Dix created this piece. The overall composition suggests a critical commentary on the militarism and societal conditions prevailing at the time.
