On 22 April 1985, the 40^th anniversary of the death of the artist, the Käthe Kollwitz Museum was founded in Cologne – the first museum to be entirely devoted to this important German artist of the 20th century.

Today, the museum boasts the largest Kollwitz collection worldwide and conveys a well-rounded picture of the draughtswoman, graphic artist and sculptor. Like no other artist, Kollwitz emphatically addressed the themes of war, poverty and death in her works, but there was also a strong focus on love, protection and the pursuit of peace. There is hardly a better place than this museum to get a close understanding of Käthe Kollwitz.

1985 – THE FIRST EXHIBITION

By 1985, as a result of further acquisitions and donations, the collection had grown to comprise a total of 120 drawings, 60 prints and all 15 of the artist’s sculptures than can be exhibited indoors. An agreement with the joint heirs of the Kollwitz estate stipulates that the collection must not be sold, but should be completed and made accessible to academic research and editing, and be presented to the general public.

A first and important step was the presentation of the Käthe-Kollwitz-Collection of the Kreissparkasse Köln, which was the official name of the collection on the 40^th anniversary of the artist’s death on 22 April 1985. For this purpose, the Kreissparkasse Köln converted the office space on the former executive floor – roughly 800 square metres – into small exhibition rooms.

This first exhibition also marked the birth of the museum. Many visitors as well as the press referred to it as the first Käthe Kollwitz Museum.

The founding director of the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln was Dr. Jutta Bohnke-Kollwitz (1923-2021), a granddaughter of the artist.

PRESENTING, CONSERVING, RESEARCHING, COLLECTING, INFORMING

The Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln has not only found its firm position in Cologne’s cultural life - due to its important monographic collection, it is one of the exhibition houses of international renown. Its mission statement is based on the five pillars of classical museum work:

Presenting. Apart from the presentation of major works from the permanent collection, the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln offers special exhibitions focusing on historical and thematic connections, artistic techniques and photography, as well as monographic exhibitions of artists with a particular relationship to the works of Kollwitz.

Conserving. The works at the Cologne Kollwitz collection are – where this becomes necessary – restored by renowned specialists according to modern standards of conservational conditions with regard to climate control, air monitoring and light protection. Conserving the objects also includes appropriate art-handling as well as all aspects of safety and security.

Researching. Research into the provenance of the works at the Cologne Kollwitz collection has highest priority, both for academic and for legal reasons. The museum’s research activities – above all the publication of catalogues raisonnés of sculptural works, prints and drawings (in process) – set the benchmark and awaken international interest in the artist. These activities are based on an excellent library – including a photo library – and research archives.

Collecting. The concept behind the museum’s collecting activities is to complement the collection, making it accessible to academic research and to present a comprehensive image of the artist and her works. The focal points are above all the drawings from her early period and folios documenting the artist’s approach to her work. For this reason, the Kollwitz collection has a large number of preparatory drawings and proofs for the cycles »Ein Weberaustand« (A Weavers’ Revolt) (1893–97), »Bauernkrieg« (Peasants War) (1902/03–1908) and »Krieg« (War) (1921/22). Another collection focus are preparatory works for the etching »Tod, Frau und Kind« (Death, Woman and Child) (1910) – a theme which the artist thoroughly explored, above all during the especially productive period of 1910/1911.

Informing. The Käthe Kollwitz Museum’s educational programme with its guided tours and workshop for various different target groups, public lectures and discussion groups, as well as the publication of catalogues, aims at communicating the importance of the artist on a local level. At the same time, the museum regards itself as an ambassador. Numerous requests for loans from museums outside Cologne demonstrate the importance of the Cologne Kollwitz collection on a national and international level and reflect the continuing interest in Käthe Kollwitz worldwide.