Otto Dix was born on December 2, 1891, the son of an iron moulder and a seamstress in what is now Untermhaus. Today, Dix is considered one of the most important German painters and graphic artists of the 20th century. His main work can be classified as realism, but his paintings in the New Objectivity style are best known. However, Dix also experimented with Expressionist and Dadaist stylistic devices, which prompted the National Socialists to show many of his works in the Munich propaganda exhibition »Degenerate Art«. From this point onwards, Dix's works were no longer allowed to be exhibited. After the Second World War, Dix received numerous honors and was made an honorary citizen of Gera in 1967. In 1991, on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the town's most famous son, the restored and extended birthplace of the painter was opened as a museum.
The magnificent location next to St. Mary's Church, in one of Gera's most beautiful districts, is worth a visit in itself. The Gera Art Collection houses around 400 works on paper and paintings by Otto Dix, including major works from all of the artist's creative periods. Another highlight is the permanent loan from the Otto Dix Foundation in Vaduz. The collection includes sketchbooks from his youth and watercolors and drawings from the 1920s and 30s. The masterpiece of the so-called War Cycle with 50 etchings (1924) and late color lithographs are on display as well as 48 drawn field postcards from the First World War. A biographical documentation of the artist's life and work rounds off the museum's offerings.