The artwork, titled “Self-Portrait with Muse,” created by Otto Dix, belongs to the Verism art movement and falls within the genre of self-portraits. This piece exemplifies the veristic approach, portraying characters and emotions with unflinching honesty and detail.
In the artwork, two figures dominate the composition. On the right, the artist Otto Dix is depicted with solemn intensity, holding a metronome or similar device, which imposes a sense of control or measure. His attire is somber and military-like, characterized by a buttoned high-neck garment. On the left, a muse, presumably female, is partly draped in a diaphanous blue fabric, her expression intense and enigmatic. Her appearance, marked by dramatic hair and makeup with red lips and intense eyes, contrasts sharply with the formal demeanor of Dix. The juxtaposition of the meticulous, almost surgical precision of Dix and the raw, unfettered depiction of the muse captures the tension and interplay between artist and inspiration. The background is minimalistic, ensuring that the focus remains on the dynamic interaction between the two characters.
