Otto Dix (1891–1969) is one of Germany's most important artists. The only surviving murals from his late work in 1960, “War and Peace,” can be seen in Singen Town Hall. Created using an impressive mineral paint technique on silicate plaster, the three-part murals convey central themes of destruction, new beginnings, and human responsibility.
The left half of the painting depicts war and hardship with scourging, destroyed buildings, and people in distress. On the right, the peaceful “new era” contrasts with this: blossoming nature, fields, families, and new buildings. Christ on the cross in the middle connects both halves and symbolizes hope, reconciliation, and the path to a new era. A diagonal composition from the bottom left to the top right emphasizes progress and reconstruction.
Otto Dix lived in Hegau and on the Höri peninsula on Lake Constance from 1936 onwards. The annual art exhibitions in Singen, which began in 1947, provided him and other “Höri artists” with a forum for their works, which had long been ostracised. Supported by his student Ernst Bursche, the murals were created in close consultation with the politician Theopont Diez, who was committed to Christian humanist values.
Today, the murals are a highlight of Singen Town Hall and an impressive example of Dix's late work. Visitors can experience the unique scenes of war, peace, and reconstruction up close, gaining a deep insight into the connection between art, history, and human responsibility.
