Bauer (1889-1953) began his career as an illustrator, contributing images and caricatures to some of the major publications of the day. While enjoying steady employment as a commercial artist, his style began to evolve into what became the non-objective art movement in the late 1910s. His avant-garde style was featured at the Degenerate Art show in Munich, alongside fellow Modernists Max Beckmann, Paul Klee, Max Ernst, and Wassily Kandinsky.
Die Krater was comprised of a series of Ballroom Dancing pictures which illustrate many of the formal postures associated with dance instruction. The scenes capture much of the drama, sensuality and decadence of Berlin at the dawn of the Weimar Republic. While the men sport tuxedoes and white-tie, their dance partners are presented in various stages of dress and undress.
