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Otto DIX, Nachtliche Begegnung mit einem Irrsinnigen [Night-time encounter with a madman], plate 22 from Der Krieg REDUCE 1/1


Otto DIX

Germany 1891 – 1969

  • Movements: Switzerland


Nachtliche Begegnung mit einem Irrsinnigen
[Night-time encounter with a madman], plate 22 from Der Krieg Intaglio etching, aquatint, drypoint
Edition: ed 58/70
printing plate 26.2 h x 19.7 w cm
The Poynton Bequest 2003
Accession No: NGA 2003.352.22
© Otto Dix. Licensed by Viscopy

The original German title of plate 22 is Nachtliche Begegnung mit einem Irrsinnigen: here the word Irrsinnig powerfully conveys the sense that all the neural networks that underpin both one's sense of self and the apparent rational structure of one's world have been utterly torn to shreds. This image dramatically articulates the nightmare-like psychological impact of war on a civilian population.


Text © National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 2010