George Grosz -Interrogation

“And, can’t you dance something entertaining for

us comrade, you learned this so beautifully in

Moscow, indeed.”

What is Grosz referring to in this inscription-

What does it mean?

How is the space organised in this picture?

What words best describe the shapes, col-

ours, lines, patterns, textures?

Why do you think that Grosz choose to use

these techniques and materials?

How do the techniques used support the

narrative of the painting? For example the

shaky wobbly lines used to depict the victim

may have been used to create the impres-

sion of fear.

The red is a very bright colour and in con-

trast to the other colours used. This may

draw attention to the blood and violent na-

ture of the scene.

What do the stances of the men tell us about

their roles in the scene?

As commonplace as

this kind of torture is

to these soldiers, it is

still being hidden

away. The open win-

dow is stuffed with a

blanket, to prevent

onlookers and muffle

the sounds.

Grosz’s technique is

free and fluid, and

does not seem to sit

well with the horrific

scene he depicts.

The light and easy

brush strokes and

pastel colours em-

phasise the routine

and carefree nature

of these events; it

looks almost like a

cartoon, or book il-

lustration.

Just as our eyes are drawn

to the red splashes, so too

are we drawn to the red

armband of the Nazi sol-

dier, reminding us of the

reason for the blood.