Prostitutes George
George Grosz’s 1920s original watercolor painting ‘Three Prostitutes’ captures the gritty reality of Weimar Berlin. Rendering erotic fantasies visually was integral to Grosz’s work, often focusing on society’s underbelly. His upcoming major UK exhibition, ‘Prostitutes, Politicians and Profiteers’, marks the first dedicated show there, exploring these recurring themes.
Notable Exhibition Pieces
The exhibition highlights pieces like his 1955 work ‘Three prostitutes in holding cell’, measuring 16 x 12.25 inches, and the 1932 ink and gouache ‘Untitled (Policeman and Prostitutes)’, approximately 18.74 x 22.76 inches. Notable elements include his 1922 aquarell ‘Vor Sonnenaufgang. Prostitutes with a John’, part of the ‘Ecce Homo’ series.
Enduring Societal Relevance
This focus reflects the era’s social tensions, where establishments like Berlin’s King George Club explicitly forbade sexual acts without condoms. Testimonies from cases, like the 2013 New York sex trafficking trial where admitted prostitutes defended their pimps in court, echo the complex power dynamics Grosz depicted. His work remains relevant, as seen in contemporary issues like Kerala MLA P C George’s controversial ‘prostitute’ remark in 2021 and Prince George’s County police cases involving officers and prostitution. Grosz’s art, such as the 1914 ‘Zimmer Einer Prostituierten’ (Room of a Prostitute), continues to provoke discussion about exploitation, power, and societal critique.
*TAGS* – Weimar Berlin prostitution, Grosz erotic artworks, societal power dynamics
