Portraying a Nation: Germany 1919–1933

‘Portraying a Nation’, which features the work of painter Otto Dix (1891–1969) and photographer August Sander (1876–1964), reflects a pivotal point in Germany’s history in the aftermath of WWI. The period was one of experimentation across the visual arts, during which both artists were concerned with representing the extremes of society, from cabaret culture to civilian rebellions. Featuring more than 300 paintings, drawings, prints and photographs, this exhibition consists of two complementary displays. ‘Otto Dix: The Evil Eye’ explores Dix’s harshly realistic depictions of German society, while ‘Artist Rooms: August Sander’ presents photographs from Sander’s best-known series, People of the Twentieth Century, from the Artist Rooms collection of international modern and contemporary art. Find out more about the ‘Portraying a Nation’ exhibition from the Tate’s website.

Preview the exhibition below | See Apollo’s Picks of the Week here

National Socialist, Head of Department of Culture (c. 1938; printed 1990), August Sander. © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur – August Sander Archiv, Cologne; DACS, London, 2017

Secretary at West German Radio in Cologne (1931; printed 1992), August Sander. © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur – August Sander Archiv, Cologne; DACS, London, 2017

Self-Portrait with Easel (1926), Otto Dix. © DACS 2017. Leopold-Hoesch-Museum & Papiermuseum Düren. Photo: Peter Hinschläger

Turkish Mousetrap Salesman (1924–30), August Sander. © Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur – August Sander Archiv, Cologne; DACS, London, 2017