Cut with the Kitchen Knife Through the Beer-Belly of the Weimar Republic 1919

Hannah Hoch's "Cut with the Kitchen Knife Through the Beer-Belly of the Weimar Republic" (1919) is a prime example of Dadaist art, a movement rejecting traditional artistic values in post-World War I Germany. The artwork is a photomontage, composed of various found images and cut-out photographs, creating a chaotic and fragmented visual experience. The title itself points to the critique of Germany's post-war political and social climate, with "beer-belly" symbolizing the perceived decadence and indulgence of the Weimar Republic. The work, now housed in the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, showcases Hoch's bold and innovative approach to artistic expression, challenging conventional notions of art and reflecting the anxieties of a turbulent era.