After studying art at the Dresden Academy alongside Otto Dix and George Grosz, (although Schwitters seems to have been unaware of their work, or indeed of contemporary Dresden artists Die Brücke), 1909–1915, Schwitters returned to Hanover and started his artistic career as a post-impressionist.
Efter at have studeret kunst ved Kunstakademiet i Dresden (Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden) sammen med Otto Dix og George Grosz, (selvom Schwitters synes at have været uvidende om deres arbejde, eller endog om den ekspressionistiske kunstnersammenslutning Die Brücke) I perioden 1909-14 vendte Schwitters tilbage til Hannover og begyndte sin kunstneriske karriere som post-impressionist.