The class will be separated into three groups of appriximatley the same size. Each group gets copies of the painting which deals with invalids of the First World War (Painting No.1, 2 or 3). Since it is very difficult to get image rights for the paintings there are web links which lead to web pages where the paintings can be seen. These web links to the particular paintings should replace the worksheets. The following paintings were selected:
Painting No. 1 Otto Dix: Prager Straße/ Pragerstrasse, 1920
The web link which leads to the painting
This painting shows two war invalids in the center. One of them looks really poor and has just one existing extremity left for begging. He has something like temporary artificial limbs. The other invalid looks like a former army officer. His complete abdomen is missing and he moves with a mobile carrier, trying to keep his dignity. In the background there is a store which sells artificial limbs. The street seems to be alive but is also overcrowded and dirty.
The painting is quite varied. It can be interpreted in many ways and there are many things to discover, but the focus is on the problems that invalids faced after the First World War. The many disabled people were a contamination of the cityscape in the eyes of society. The former warriors, who gave their lives and their health for their homeland, became beggars on the street. Obscene hints, like the male mannequin with a corset, which should illustrate a support corsetfor Invalids in the Background, refer to the sexual and social politics of postwar Germany. 2
Painting No. 2 George Grosz: Der Held/ The Hero, 1933
The web link which leads to the painting
This work of art shows a war invalid sitting on the street. He is missing a leg and his crutch is leaning on him. His face is also disfigured, perhaps because of shrapnel. It looks grotesque. In his hand he is holding a humble flower bouquet. A donation box is placed in front of him.
The person in this painting represents many of war invalids who ended up on the streets as poor beggars because of their inability to work and related bad social policies. The title "The Hero" shows the cynicism of George Grosz in relation to the military.3
Painting No. 3 Max Beckmann: Die Hölle. Der Nachhauseweg/ Hell. The Way Home, 1919
The web link which leads to the painting
The picture shows two men in the foreground. One of them has a disfigured face and an amputated arm. Obviously he is wearing a uniform. The other man seems to be healthy and is wearing a suit with a hat. It looks like the two of them are arguing. They are obviously standing in the street because there are street lamps besides them. There are two more invalids in the background.
Max Beckmann represents himself as the healthy man in the picture. This man is facing the disabled man who shows the destructive effects of war. He forces one to look into the deformed but real face of war. 4
