Otto Dix
German, 1891-1969
Portrait of Mr. Bittermann
INV-1042
Otto Dix
German, 1891-19691923
Portrait of Mr. Bittermann
Otto Dix German, 1891-1969 →watercolordrawings (visual works)
Date
1923
Medium
Gouache and watercolor, with scraping, over graphite, on ivory wove paper
Dimensions
54.4 × 46.2 cm (21 7/16 × 18 1/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Purchased with funds provided by Dr. and Mrs. William Shorey
While many of the subjects for Dix's portraits can be identified, his watercolor portraits are often embodiments of a stereotype, providing an outlet for his critical attacks on society. Dix's portrait of Mr. Bittermann is an example of this type of depiction. He presents us with an image of the quintessential, hardnosed profiteer: the Bitter Man, unable to see beyond the glare that clouds his vision and apparently blind to the ills he perpetuates in the economy.
Also notable
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