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George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

German, 1893-1959

George Grosz was a German artist known especially for his caricatural drawings and paintings of Berlin life in the 1920s. He was a prominent member of the Berlin Dada and New Objectivity group during the Weimar Republic. Grosz studied drawing at the Dresden Academy (1909–11) and at the School of Arts and Crafts in Berlin (1912–14). He was in the army from 1914–15, and again for a short time in 1917, but spent the rest of the war in Berlin, where he made violently anti-war drawings, in which his main focus was attacking the social corruption of Germany (capitalists, prostitutes, the Prussian military caste, the middle class). His artworks had great impact in the Berlin Dada movement, 1917–20, and collaborated with John Heartfield and Raoul Hausmann in the invention of photomontage. 

Many of Grosz’s drawings were published in albums (Gott mit uns, Ecce Homo, Der Spiesser-Spiegel, etc.), and he was subject to prosecutions for insulting the army and blasphemy. He visited the United States in 1932 to teach at the Art Students League, New York, and settled there in 1933. In the latter part of his career, he tried to establish himself as a pure painter of landscapes and still life, but also painted many compositions of an apocalyptic and deeply pessimistic kind. His role in the Berlin Dada movement affected political outlooks and artistic developments not only in Germany, but also in Russia, the Balkan nations, and parts of France. 

Grosz's penetrating, darkly humorous style of drawing and his use of satire as a weapon left a deep impression on the work of his contemporaries and the artists of the next generation. Some of his works from the early 1940s, particularly during World War II, do present an allegorical and dramatic representation of Grosz's moral perspective regarding war. Additionally, some of his last pieces from 1958 were photomontages, and hearken back to his earlier Dadaist aesthetic and message, passing judgment upon consumerism and suggesting that his absorption with American culture had ended in disappointment. In 1959, Grosz sold his house and moved back to Berlin. He died shortly after his return, after a fall down the stairs.

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Artist: George Grosz
George Grosz NYC City Scene Modernism Watercolor German Expressionism Weimar
By George Grosz
Located in New York, NY
George Grosz NYC City Scene Modernism Watercolor German Expressionism Weimar George Grosz (Germany, 1893-1959) "City Scene," 17 x 12 inches, signed and dated “33” lower left, watercolor on paper. This drawing, created while Grosz was living in NYC. Period frame, It has been authenticated by Ralph Jentsch, the globally recognized Grosz expert. Provenance: Hirschl & Adler and 511 Gallery...
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1930s Expressionist George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Paper, Watercolor

News Vendor, New York - China Ink Drawing on Paper by G. Grosz - 1932
By George Grosz
Located in Roma, IT
News Vendor, New York is an original drawing, ink on paper, realized by George Grosz in 1932, signature stamp and Grosz Estate stamp on the reverse n°4-56-7. Certificate by Ralph Jentsch. Provenance George Grosz Estate. In very good conditions. Here representing a man selling news angrily and a man with paper in his hand with indifference and calm look with a time devilish smile. critically demonstrated an allegorical and deeply pessimistic kind representation of Grosz's moral perspective regarding war. George Grosz (1893 -1959) was a German artist known especially for his caricatural drawings and paintings of Berlin...
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1930s Expressionist George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Ink

The Fifth Wheel - 1934 - China Ink Drawing on Paper by G. Grosz - 1934
By George Grosz
Located in Roma, IT
The Fifth Wheel is an original drawing, pencil on paper, realized by George Grosz in 1934, signature stamp and Grosz Estate stamp on the reverse n°6-75-4...
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1930s Expressionist George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Without Results - China Ink Drawing on Paper by G. Grosz - 1925
By George Grosz
Located in Roma, IT
Original china ink drawing on paper by George Grosz, representing a typical subject of social and family issues. Provenance: Grosz Foundation (Regist...
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1920s Expressionist George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Ink

Christus am Oelberg - Christ on the Mount of Olives
By George Grosz
Located in Miami, FL
This work is accompanied by a Photo-certificate and essay from Ralph Jentsch who will include it in his forthcoming catalogue raisonné Signed lower right. Estate stamp on verso...
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1930s Dada George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Ink, Watercolor

Christus am Oelberg - Christ on the Mount of Olives
By George Grosz
Located in Miami, FL
This work is accompanied by a Photo-certificate and essay from Ralph Jentsch who will include it in his forthcoming catalogue raisonné Signed lower right. Estate stamp on ...
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1930s Dada George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Berlin Street Scene
By George Grosz
Located in New York, NY
Ink wash on paper Signed and dated, l.r. This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City.
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1920s Other Art Style George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

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George Grosz figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic George Grosz figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of figurative drawings and watercolors to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by George Grosz in ink, paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Expressionist style. Not every interior allows for large George Grosz figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 17 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Carl Hofer, Ben-Zion Weinman, and Lucien Génin. George Grosz figurative drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $16,377 and tops out at $65,000, while the average work can sell for $35,355.
Questions About George Grosz Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George Grosz was a German artist best known for his character drawings and his paintings of Berlin in the 1920s. His work was often very critical of the politics of the day and German society. In the 1930s, Grosz immigrated to the United States and gave up the style he had previously been known for and began teaching. Shop a selection of George Grosz pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.

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