Early Modern

World War I presented an immense loss of lives, and a whole lot of destruction. These events have impacted artistic views and expressions. In this exhibit, we will explore how 3 different works of art and show how they can be related to World War I, and what expressions they give off.


Der Krieg( The War) (1924)
By: Otto Dix
Stadtmuseum, Germany

This portrait which is one of 50 from this portfolio, depicts memories and horrors Otto Dix witnessed during the time of the war. One of the first elements that stick out is the use of shading, specifically with figures, it truly invokes that sense of trauma and the emotions during that time. The limited use of color, really emphasizes the desolation of the war. the composition as well help with the sense of trauma it gives off and the distorted figures seem deeply horrified. Again this portrait along with the many others, helps confront you as a viewer with the reality of war.



We Are Making a New World (1918)
By: Paul Nash
Imperial War Museum, London

This masterpiece is meant to capture the devastating landscape of the war, it depicts a battle field ruined by great anarchy. The detailing with trees and how these trees seem dead, help give you a sense of desolation. It also give off the emptiness that war can bring. The composition with the horizon and sky, also help invoke that sense of emptiness and vastness in the battlefield. The use of color which is dominated with brown and grey, give a sense of ambition of war. the placement with the trees helps create that sense of a haunted grounds. 


The Grieving Parents (1932)
By Käthe Kollwitz
German War Cemetery, Belgium

Although this isn't necessarily a painting, but it is a work of art that holds great meaning. These statues depicts parents mourning over losses during the war. The detailing of the bowed heads and hands, invokes a sense of sorrow and profound confusion with the world. The uneven and rough surface of the statue, also adds to the emotional impacts and helps enhance that rawness of grieving. The placement of the statues adds a deep personal feeling of loss and overall enhances that emotion state they are in.




These three works of art help demonstrate the impact World War I had on the artistic expression. These works help show diverse ways to express such a traumatic event. These artist offer a powerful impact that war can have on a human like yourself.






Bibliography


Moma | the collection | otto dix. the war (der krieg). 1924 (prints executed 1923-1924). (n.d.-b). https://www.moma.org/s/ge/collection_ge/objbyppib/objbyppib_ppib-12_sov_page-37.html


We are making a new world. Imperial War Museums. (n.d.). https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/20070


Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne. Cologne Grieving Parents – Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln. (n.d.). https://www.kollwitz.de/en/cologne-grieving-parents











Comments

  1. Abbie NewlinNovember 7, 2024 at 10:24 PM

    I enjoyed your analysis of Der Krieg and We Are Making A New World. The sun rising in We Are Making A New World shows that a new tomorrow that can be shaped as desired is on the horizon. I wouldn't have thought originally to tie the rough texture of the statues to the raw emotions the parents would have felt at the time of loss. All three works are a great selection to represent the art surrounding World War I.

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