Anita Berber

Berlin in the 1920’s had a tolerance that allowed eroticism, and sin to flourish. With Berlin being the sex capital of the world at the time and having nicknames such as ‘Sin City’ it was a place where both men and women could express themselves freely. 

One icon of the time was the outrageous cabaret dancer and actress Anita Berber; her performances broke boundaries with their total nudity and androgyny. Her overt drug addiction and bisexuality made her the talking point of the time. Today she is remembered by the famous portrait done by Otto Dix in 1925, named ‘The Dancer Anita Berber’.

The portrait depicts Anita at the end of her tragically short lived, fast paced life. The garish red of the dress hugging Anita’s figure bleeds with the intensity of the period. Not reaching the age of 30 she was infamous in Berlin Weimar society for her destructive and contemptible lifestyle.