1891 1891 Born on December 2nd in Untermhaus near Gera (Thuringia), the second child of Franz and Louise Dix, an ironworker and a seamstress. Grows up with three siblings in modest but not penniless circumstances. Father and brother are active Social Democrats.

1898-1906 Attends elementary school in Untermhaus. Receives first artistic encouragement from drawing teacher Ernst Schunke.

1906-1910 Apprenticeship in decorative painting with Carl Senff in Gera. Works as journeyman in Pössneck (Thuringia) during the summer of 1910.