Instructional Video

The German Painter Who Fought In The Trenches - Otto Dix

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Otto Dix wanted to show the ghastliness of war, and his paintings were so controversial that Adolf Hitler later banned them. Dix's artwork was so important to him that he refused to leave Germany, even when he was labeled as degenerate by the Third Reich. Viewers gain a better perspective of the power of the arts after a video shows how Dix's images influenced public opinion about the horrors of trench warfare during the Great War. 

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  •  After viewing the video, examine the artwork of Otto Dix to discuss life in the trenches during World War I
Classroom Considerations
  • Part of Who Did What in World War I? video biography series
  • Graphic paintings may make this video unsuitable for some students
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • The video analyzes Dix paintings within the content of World War I
  • Gripping images engage the class
Cons
  • Ads at the start of the video may disrupt instruction
Common Core