Bertolt Brecht was an influential German playwright, poet, theater director, and theorist. His works explored the themes of alienation and political and social change. Brecht's theatrical techniques, such as the use of epic theater and the Verfremdungseffekt (estrangement effect), sought to distance the audience from the action of the play. He is known for his plays such as The Threepenny Opera, Mother Courage and Her Children, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
 
André Derain was a French Fauvist painter who, along with Henri Matisse, is credited with the invention of Fauvism. Derain's early works were characterized by vivid and expressive brushwork, bold and vibrant colors, and a heavy use of paint. His later works were more muted, with a greater focus on structure, form, and line. Derain's work is known for its influence on the development of modern art, particularly through his use of color and his integration of form, line, and abstraction. He is also known for his portraiture and his use of landscape elements.
 
Both André Derain and Bertolt Brecht explored the impact of modern life on traditional art forms. While Derain was a painter, Brecht was a noted poet, playwright, and theater director. Both men sought to challenge the conventions of traditional art forms and to explore the possibilities of modernity. They were both committed to the idea that art should be used to spark social change and to inspire political and social engagement.