'Meine Kunst kriegt hier zu fressen', the influence of the First World War on German art and film

Abstract

This thesis sets out to examine the relationship between German visual arts and cinema during the 1910-20s, by focusing on the way that they were mutually influenced by the First World War. Firstly, the theoretical and ideological principles of German artistic and film movements of the period are discussed. Secondly, the influence of particular experiences and events are treated, by focusing on the war experiences of Max Beckmann, Otto Dix, George Grosz, Fritz Lang and F.W. Murnau. Thirdly, through the discussion of post-war artworks and films is shown how both fields strongly relate in their depiction of the aftereffects of the war; in the depiction of madness, morbidness and the modern metropolis. This thesis shows that, at the time, the two field were strongly related in terms of content and production.