Graves International Art

Otto Dix (born December 2, 1891, Untermhaus, Thuringia, Germany—died July 25, 1969, Singen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany [then West Germany]), has been perhaps more influential than any other German painter in shaping the popular image of the Weimar Republic of the 1920s. His works are key parts of the Neue Sachlichkeit ("New Objectivity") movement, which also attracted George Grosz and Max Beckmann in the mid 1920s. A veteran haunted by his experiences of WWI, his first great subjects were crippled soldiers, but during the height of his career he also painted nudes, prostitutes, and often savagely satirical portraits of celebrities from Germany's intellectual circles. His work became even darker and more allegorical in the early 1930s, and he became a target of the Nazis. In response, he gradually moved away from social themes, turning to landscape and Christian subjects, and, after serving in the army during WWII, enjoyed some considerable acclaim in his later years.

In Das Evangelium nach Matthäus, Otto Dix tells the story of the Book of Matthew. The cycle commences with an interpretation of the Sacrifice of Isaac as it looks forward to the work of the Savior, but the life of Jesus begins with the Adoration of the Maji, then it moves through his ministry and focuses on the Passion. Interestingly Otto Dix ends the series with an image entitled, "Go Therefore into the World", acknowledging that the work of Christ continues as we proclaim his redemption.

Das Evangelium nach Matthäus (book edition) consists of 33 original lithographs, 25 of which are full page size. Printed in black from zinc plates by Klibor and published by Kathe Vogt Verlag in Berlin, Germany in 1960.

The complete tirage is as follows:

1. 30 signed and numbered examples on Japan paper (37 prints, 4 extra states)

2. 2,000 book edition on white offset paper

2a. 1-100 in Saffiano Leather signed by Dix

2b. 101-400 bound in half-parchment signed by Dix

2c. 401-2,000 bound in linen unsigned (*Our examples offered here)

Title/Portfolio: "Das Evangelium nach Matthaus (The Gospel according to Matthew)"
*Unsigned edition *Rare
Year: 1960
Medium: The complete book volume of 33 Original Lithographs
Limited edition: 1,366/2,000
Overall book size: 11.75" x 9.38"
Each sheet size: 11.38" x 9"
Reference: Karsch 235-267
Price: $1,600

Title: "Dame mit Reiher (Woman with a Tuft of Heron Feathers)"
Portfolio: Die Schaffenden, Vol. 5, No. 1
*Signed LR *Rare
Year: 1923
Medium: Original Lithograph
Limited edition: approx. 120
Sheet size: 16.25" x 12.25"
Reference: Karsch 62 II c
Price: $15,000

Title: "Städtische Galerie Albstadt (Corpse in Barbed Wire, Flanders)"
*Extremely rare
Year: 1977
Medium: Original Offset-Lithograph, Exhibition Poster
Limited edition: Unknown
Sheet size: 33.38" x 23.38"
Image size: 17.75" x 14.5"
Price: SOLD