Meaning: Otto Dix, a German painter and printmaker, is known for his unflinchingly honest depictions of the horrors of war and the societal decay that followed. The quote, "Not that painting would have been a release. The reason for doing it is the desire to create. I've got to do it! I've seen that, I can still remember it, I've got to paint it," reveals the intense drive and compulsion that fueled Dix's artistic output.

Throughout his career, Dix sought to capture the raw, visceral truth of the world around him. This quote reflects his unwavering commitment to expressing his vision through art. For Dix, painting was not a mere pastime or leisure activity; it was a necessity, a means of translating his experiences and observations into tangible, evocative images.

Dix's words also allude to the power of memory and the enduring impact of the scenes and subjects that inspired him. His recollection of what he had witnessed and the urgent need to paint it convey a sense of urgency and emotional depth. This sentiment underscores the profound connection between the artist's inner world and the external reality he sought to capture.

In the context of Dix's body of work, this quote offers insight into the motivations and emotional underpinnings of his art. His paintings often confront the viewer with stark, unapologetic representations of war, poverty, and human suffering. Whether depicting the ravages of combat or the stark realities of post-war Germany, Dix's art is infused with a sense of urgency and purpose.

Dix's experiences as a soldier in World War I profoundly influenced his artistic perspective, leading him to reject the romanticized notions of warfare prevalent in contemporary art. Instead, he portrayed the grim, harrowing truth of the battlefield and its aftermath. His unflinching portrayals of mutilated bodies, shattered landscapes, and the psychological toll of war challenged conventional artistic conventions and revealed the true face of conflict.

Furthermore, Dix's exploration of the darker aspects of society, including poverty, decadence, and moral degradation, reflected his unyielding commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths. His paintings often serve as searing indictments of the societal ills that plagued Germany in the aftermath of World War I.

In conclusion, Otto Dix's quote encapsulates the fervent drive and emotional depth that characterized his artistic practice. His unwavering commitment to creating art as a means of bearing witness to the world around him and confronting uncomfortable truths resonates with the enduring power of his work. Through his unapologetic portrayals of war, suffering, and societal decay, Dix left a lasting legacy as an artist who fearlessly confronted the darker aspects of human experience.