Who was George Grosz and how did his art influence the Weimar Culture?
George Grosz
Born: July 26, 1893
Died: July 6, 1959
George Grosz was one of the principal artists associated with the New Objectivity movement (Neue Sachlichkeit). He was also a member of the Berlin Dada group.
Life in Germany
George Grosz was originally a soldier in WW1, before moving on and focusing on his art and social critique. In 1918 George joined the Spartacist League, which was renamed the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). He became involved in the left wing pacifist activity. He published many drawings and participated in protests and social upheavals. Most of Grosz’s drawings were criticising the decay of the German society.
Life in America
Grosz moved to the US to teach art when the Nazis came into power. He did this to avoid Nazi persecution when his work seemed “degenerate”. His style of art changed due to his loss of faith in humanity. He changed from artwork of political propaganda to caricatures of people in New York and romantic landscapes.
(The Engineer Heartfield)
The Shrimp Girl
The Shrimp Girl is a painting by the English artist William Hogarth. It was painted around 1740–45, and is held by the National Gallery, London. [more]
What was he known for?
Grosz rallied against war and corruption. He was a symbol of the revolution in Germany and his art was important in awakening the public to the reality of government oppression. He also influenced many artists both in Germany and USA.
George Grosz’s key ideas
Satire artworks of Berlin nightlife as an Art student. He drew in a social-realist style that conveyed his vision of society
(Metropolis, 1916)
George Grosz’s key ideas
The people in his artworks were different classes of the German society between the two world wars. This allowed him to portray a modern vision of reality
(The Eclipse of the Sun, 1926)
George Grosz’s key ideas
Grosz combined linear quality with gothic art’s penchant to grotesque imagery. He used this to add emphasis to his artwork
(The Funeral, 1918)
George Grosz’s key ideas
Many of Grosz’s artworks were reproduced. His artworks circulated among radical groups and the working class population. This allowed Grosz’s messages to be conveyed to the population
(Republican Automatons, 1920)
Death
Grosz moved back to Berlin where he died after falling down a flight of stairs after a night of drinking
