Otto Dix
Illusion Act
1922
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Otto Dix
Illusion Act
1922
Physical Qualities
Etching, drypoint, and aquatint with roulette and printed tone, Sheet: 483 × 420 mm. (19 × 16 9/16 in.)
Plate: 298 × 420 mm. (11 3/4 × 16 9/16 in.)
Portfolio/Series
From the portfolio "Circus (Zirkus)"
Credit Line
Print & Drawing Society Fund
Object Number
1982.180
Otto Dix’s print appears to be based on a spider woman act similar to one advertised by the Daniellis Circus in France. In what is perhaps an exaggeration, the poster claims that the act is “unique in the world.”
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1982; purchased from Carus Gallery, NY
BMA, "Master Prints II: Daumier to Picasso," 25 October, 1983 - 15 January, 1984.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "German Expressionist Graphics 1905-1985," 9 August - 9 October, 1988.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "The Print and Drawing Society 25th Anniversary Exhibition," 22 September - 19 December, 1993.
Susan Dackerman, BMA, "A Modern Renaissance: German Expressionist Prints and Drawings," 10 July - 29 September, 1996.
Oliver Shell, BMA, "A Circus Family: Picasso to Léger," 22 February through 17 May 2009.
Rena Hoisington and Morgan Dowty, BMA, "A Golden Anniversary: Celebrating 50 Years of the Print, Drawing & Photograph Society," Rotation 1: 29 August 2018 - 17 February 2019.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "German Expressionist Graphics 1905-1985," 9 August - 9 October, 1988.
Jay Fisher, BMA, "The Print and Drawing Society 25th Anniversary Exhibition," 22 September - 19 December, 1993.
Susan Dackerman, BMA, "A Modern Renaissance: German Expressionist Prints and Drawings," 10 July - 29 September, 1996.
Oliver Shell, BMA, "A Circus Family: Picasso to Léger," 22 February through 17 May 2009.
Rena Hoisington and Morgan Dowty, BMA, "A Golden Anniversary: Celebrating 50 Years of the Print, Drawing & Photograph Society," Rotation 1: 29 August 2018 - 17 February 2019.
Signed: 1
Inscribed: lower left in graphite: "28/50"; lower center in graphite: "Illusionsakt"; lower right in graphite: "Dix 22"
Markings: None
