Otto-Dix-Haus

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Otto Dix was born on December 2, 1891, in a simple half-timbered house on Mohrenplatz in what was then the village of Untermhaus, now part of Gera. The building probably dates from the early 18th century; the future painter spent his childhood here in a working-class family.

In the run-up to the artist's 100th birthday, the house was extensively renovated from 1988 onward and opened as a museum on December 2, 1991. It belongs to the Kunstsammlung Gera, whose second location is the Orangerie and which owns one of the most important Dix collections. Alongside its own holdings, the house long displayed loans as well, for example from the Otto-Dix-Stiftung in Vaduz.

Following damage from the 2013 flood, the museum closed for several months in 2016 and reopened for the painter's 125th birthday. When many paintings moved to the new permanent Dix exhibition at the Orangerie in 2024, the birthplace was given a new concept and reopened on December 3, 2024.

Since then the permanent presentation has focused on the artist's beginnings: works from his childhood and youth, watercolors, and early oil paintings are shown in a changing selection, complemented by a reconstructed workers' apartment from around 1900, photos, and documents. The gallery hosts special exhibitions from the collection, and on the first floor the "studiodix" invites children and teens to get creative themselves.

Highlights

• Birthplace of Otto Dix (born 1891)
• Permanent exhibition "Wie alles begann" (How It All Began) with works from his childhood and youth
• Furnished workers' apartment from around 1900
• Early works such as the watercolor "Moschusbock" (Musk Beetle, around 1906)
• "studiodix" creative space for children and teens

Permanent exhibitions

• Wie alles begann – Works from Otto Dix's childhood and youth in a changing selection, along with photos and documents on his relationship with his hometown of Gera.
• Arbeiterwohnung um 1900 – With period furniture, the historic living quarters of the birthplace convey the everyday life of the working-class family in which Dix grew up.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Stadt Gera (Kunstsammlung Gera)

Admission & discounts

Prices valid since January 1, 2024. Free for, among others, Sozialcard holders, school classes, participants in a voluntary social or ecological year (FSJ/FÖJ), press, and ICOM members. Workshops/special events flat rate €40.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The foyer and creative rooms on the first floor are step-free; the exhibition rooms and historic living quarters on the second floor can only be reached via 18 steps. Accessible parking spaces at Hofwiesenpark; low-floor tram with a tactile guidance system at the stop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Creative area "studiodix" for hands-on making; educational programs for preschool-age children and ages 6 and up; children's birthday parties as a registered event; children and teenagers up to age 18 free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

No café listed in the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit