Otto Dix, Selbstbildnis mit Artillerie-Helm (Self-Portrait Wearing a Gunner's Helmet) 1914 - Municipal Gallery, Stuttgart
This piece was painted shortly after Dix enlisted, very early in the war. His enlistment was enthusiastic - at least, according to wiki - although with this work, Dix seems to show a sense of uneasiness about the whole situation.
It is a very dark canvas - there is no brightness nor much of any light. The blacks and ruddy reds of the uniform and Dix's face seem to suck all the life out of the rest of the portrait. The white eyes could be interpreted as an utter sense of blankness towards the war - or, perhaps if the interpretation is of glancing leftward, a general sense of unhappiness.
What also impresses me about this picture, is that it is a German artist showing himself as a German soldier, yet the painting seems so bleak. Put together long before the 'Germans bad, Allies good' stereotype exuded its way through the allied public consciousness.
Very powerful.
Also, just an aside on Dix - some of his etchings, the War series, will be in the local art gallery early next year. I am very much looking forward to seeing his work 'in the flesh'.
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