Bibliography

1."Otto Dix." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix>.


2."The Scream." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream>.


3."The Third of May 1808." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_of_May_1808>.

Wounded Soldier

This painting portrays fear as intensely as it can possibly be done. The artist, Otto Dix, gives the viewers an extremely pure view of war from his own experience in the First World War. The first thing that draws your attention is the man’s facial expression. The way that his eyes are shot open and how his mouth looks almost speechless is how Otto Dix attempts to portray this soldier’s fear. His helmet is turned sideways and his clothes are torn which could be the artist trying to really show the viewer what a bad and miserable situation this man is in. The next thing that captures your attention is his right arm. His right arm is tearing right through his jacket as he is clenching his hand which is the artist showing what terrible pain this man must be in. Lastly is his left arm. It is turned 180 degrees around from its original position, certainly not a very comfortable position. It is given that this man is in battle but it is unclear where he is specifically though, perhaps in a trench or just lying on the battleground.

Otto Dix participated in World War I as part of a field artillery regiment for a few years but was discharged after stray shrapnel entered his neck during battle. These years in battle affected Dix terribly as he had recurring nightmares about him crawling through demolished houses. (Otto Dix) He began painting to express his views on how miserable and horrific war really is. A prime example of this is his piece Stormtroops Advancing Under Gas. He became influenced by the Dadaist movement through artist George Grosz. (Otto Dix) Then during World War II his work was considered degenerate art by the Nazi regime and was burned. (Otto Dix)

This piece was put into this digital gallery because it is a fantastic portrayal of war done by a veteran himself. The horrors that Otto Dix witnessed during World War had him create this piece that shows how awful war really can be. The fear in the man’s eyes cannot be compared to any other piece of art in my opinion and it gives the viewer the opinion of somebody who has experienced this fear firsthand.

"Otto Dix." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Dix>.

The Scream

This work by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch is known as one of the best paintings from this era. The style of art that is used here is Expressionism and he uses it to create a haunting image with the character in the middle. This painting is very ominous; which the character’s appearance and the background of the painting supplement. The first thing one notices in the background are the two dark and featureless figures that are placed farther down the walkway or bridge that the main figure is standing on. They don’t have much of a purpose but they may just be there to add some context. The red sky has been said to be from Edvard Munch’s observations of ash in the sky in Norway from the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. (The Scream) The background as a whole is supposed to be the Oslofjord, outside of Oslo. It is painted from the perspective from the hill of Ekeberg. At the time when the work was created Munch’s maniac sister had been put in a mental hospital at the foot of Ekeberg. (The Scream) The main character is said to have been influenced by Peruvian mummies who were mummified crouched in the fetal position with their hands on their face. (The Scream) Its white, pale appearance and its dark clothing add to the creepy effect that it gives to the painting. The last part that really pulls the whole painting together is how the main character stares right at the viewer. It seems to make the observer of the painting as uncomfortable as the main character himself, which could have been intended by the artist

This painting was created in the era leading up to the First World War. During this time power had been shifting and tension between large countries had been escalating. Also people had been seeing armies and forces greater than anybody had ever seen before. It was only time before two of the most famous wars in history took place and also one of the most famous eras in history that really shifted power and changed the world forever. The people at the time had no idea what to expect and this painting shows Munch’s fearful emotions towards what could happen in the near future.

This artwork was chosen for this digital gallery not because it is a direct interpretation of war and violence itself but it shows the raw fear towards violent conflict that the public has. This painting is not of a real-life scene but it is sheer interpretation. The fact that this is Edvard Munch’s expression and emotion portrayed on a canvas shows the public fear of worldwide conflict at the time.

"The Scream." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream>.

The Third of May 1808

The first thing that the view notices in this piece is the main focal point, the man on his knees with his hand up. You can tell that he is the focal point because he is the only person in the painting who has very distinct features. First off his appearance gives off a lot of information. He is wearing a plain white shirt and his skin is very dark, showing that he is a common worker. Also the way he is portrayed tells the viewer a lot about the painting. He is shown kneeling with his hands up and his eyebrows are pointed up showing fear and concern. The combination of the physical position he is in and his facial expression really show his innocence effectively. The next thing that is very noticeable is the lantern that is sitting between the firing line and those being executed. It creates a distinct line between the two parties that represents the divide between good and evil. The main character’s clothes match those of the lantern which is showing the viewer that he is the focal point for the “good” side of the painting. (TTOM 1808) Beside him are a priest or friar, multiple corpses, and the people that he is defending that are behind him. On his left is a line of people awaiting their death that seems to go back as far as the building in the background of the painting. Opposed to the light side of the painting is the darkness of the firing line. The first thing to notice when looking at this side of the painting is how the line of soldiers seems to be portrayed as a single unit, which could be Goya trying to show the lack of individuality of soldiers as armies got bigger during this era. Their backs are also turned to the viewer which could be showing their ignorance towards the people being killed. This painting is a very different interpretation of war for the time. It is considered one of the first pieces of the modern era because of its modern depiction of war. The art historian Kenneth Clark described The Third of May 1808 as “the first great picture that can be called revolutionary in every sense of the word, in style, in subject, and in intention.” (TTOM 1808)

This painting was commissioned by the Spanish government in 1814 to commemorate the Spanish resistance to Napoleon during the French occupation of Spain in 1808. This occupation started after the French revolution when Napoleon asked Spanish King Charles IV about a plan to conquer and split Portugal between Spain and France. Little did the Spanish know Napoleon was in contact with Ferdinand VII of Spain who intended to take over the Spanish government and crown while they were in peace. (TTOM 1808) Goya had supported the French throughout their revolution and hoped similar things would come of Spain but he was placed in a very hard position when the French invaded Spain in 1808.

This piece was selected for this group of paintings because it shows the tragedies of war and conflict and the fear that it instills in the people. The fear in the eyes of the main character of the piece is so intense that it really rubs off onto the rest of the painting, giving the viewer a better understanding of what was suffered during these violent times.

"The Third of May 1808." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_of_May_1808>.