German painter Otto Dix is renowned for his stark and frequently disturbing portraits. He experienced some of the most tumultuous times in European history during the 20th century, such as World War I and the ascent of the Nazi government. Realistic and unapologetic depictions of human nature are hallmarks of his work.

Dix felt that an artist needed to be detached from their subject in order to capture their essence on canvas. His conviction that personal knowledge can impair one's capacity to see past outward manifestations is the source of this notion. Attempting to describe the taste of a fruit while holding it in your hand is similar in that you may concentrate too much on its texture and scent rather than tasting it.

Dix frequently depicted people from a variety of backgrounds, including prostitutes and high-ranking military officials. In addition to being flattering depictions, his portraits were meant to be truthful portrayals of his subjects' personalities and the eras in which they lived. Dix sought to provide an objective representation that might disclose more profound realities about human nature by keeping a certain distance.

This strategy reflects Dix's larger view of art, which holds that rather than merely appealing to viewers' senses of familiarity or beauty, art should provoke thought and challenge them. His art is renowned for its unvarnished honesty and capacity to convey the intricacies of life in trying circumstances.