After more than 35 years of active collecting, the Kollwitz Museum Köln now boasts more than 300 drawings, over 550 prints as well as her entire sculptural work.
Among the drawings – one of the museum’s focal points – there are some of the most expressive sheets, many from the artist’s late period when she was mainly occupied with the theme of ›Death‹. The early period is represented by three of the fewer than 10 pastels that have been preserved and by the charcoal drawings that she mainly created for the satirical magazine Simplicissimus. The museum’s collection also comprises sketch-like preparatory drawings which highlight the genesis of important sheets from her print cycles. One focal point in this area is the genesis of the »Peasants’ War« (1901–1908) and »War« (1921/1922) cycles.
This tour of the collection gives visitors an insight into the artist’s work, arranged according to thematic areas.
Please note that not all the works shown here are on permanent display at the museum.
With over 200 illustrations in chapters arranged by theme as well as an introduction to her life, the catalogue features the artist’s major works along with selected drawings and rare graphics from the most comprehensive holdings of her art worldwide at the Cologne Kollwitz Collection.
Käthe Kollwitz
A survey of her works 1888—1942
Ed. by Hannelore Fischer for Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln
304 pp, 203 mostly coloured illustrations
24 x 28 cm, hardcover
Hirmer, Munich 2022
Available in German, English or French
Museumsprice: 29,90 €
Available in our shop
or to be ordered via e-mail museum@kollwitz.de
Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945), the most important German woman artist of the first half of the twentieth century, addressed war, poverty and death in her work like no other, but also love, security and the struggle for peace in a powerful way. With her drawings, graphics and sculptures, she achieved worldwide renown already during her lifetime.
Kollwitz’s work reflects the changing times from the German Empire to the First World War, from the Weimar Republic to National Socialism and the Second World War. Trained in the academic tradition, her work touches on the ‘isms’ of modernism. Yet her art is never overshadowed by that of her male colleagues. Käthe Kollwitz developed her own distinctive style. Her striking imagery still moves us today, transcends national boundaries and is timelessly relevant.
his monograph presents an overview of her entire artistic oeuvre and relates her works to her own statements, contemporary commentary and current appraisals. With over 200 illustrations in chapters arranged by theme as well as an introduction to her life, the catalogue features the artist’s major works along with selected drawings and rare graphics from the most comprehensive holdings of her art worldwide at the Cologne Kollwitz Collection.
