Kollwitz was born in Prussia and endured some of the most intense social and political upheavals in the history of German territory. She had a keen social conscience and much of her surviving artwork depicts strife, suffering, and death. Kollvitz was educated at The Women's School of Art in Berlin, and in 1920 she was the first woman elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts.
Käthe Kollwitz
uncredited photograph from
Kathe-Kollwitz-Museum, Berlin
Kathe-Kollwitz-Museum, Berlin
Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867-1945). Working Woman (with Earring)
(Arbeiterfrau [mit dem Ohrring]), 1910. Soft-ground etching on wove paper: 17 3/4 x 12 5/16 in.
Brooklyn Museum, Henry L. Batterman Fund. Brooklyn Museum photograph.
With its intense social and political passions and messages, her art was often controversial. She was nominated for a gold medal prize in 1898, but because the Kaiser was "displeased" by her work, the prize was given to another artist. Condemnation was much harsher after 1933, when Nazi party officials forced her resignation from the Academy and prevented any further museum exhibitions of her work.
Nie wieder Krieg!, 1924
Käthe Kollwitz
Lithographie, 93,5 x 71 cm
DHM (German Historical Museum), Berlin
Käthe Kollwitz
Lithographie, 93,5 x 71 cm
DHM (German Historical Museum), Berlin
Find out more about Kollwitz at Fogelson Library. This week's display for Women's History Month features the books about her from the Library's collection.
Two informative web sites are:
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