Nächtliche Erscheinung (Nighttime Apparition) 1923

Otto Dix created this print, "Nächtliche Erscheinung" or "Nighttime Apparition," with etching, a medium where the process is so present. You can see the lines, the bite of the acid, the hand of the artist. The texture is so key here, isn’t it? The velvety darkness of the figure set against the scratchy, almost frantic marks surrounding it. It feels like Dix is grappling with something, trying to capture a fleeting image from the subconscious. Look at the mouth, that grin is unsettling, and those teeth are bared in a way that feels both menacing and vulnerable. I'm reminded of Goya, especially his etchings "Los Caprichos." Both artists share a fascination with the darker aspects of the human psyche and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Art isn't always about beauty, sometimes it's about holding a mirror up to the things we'd rather not see.