Departure and Death, 1923

The lithograph shown here was created as an introductory sheet for the special edition of the portfolio »Farewell and Death« which was published in 1924 by Propyläen and comprised reproductions of eight drawings by the artist.

The crouching figure of a woman with folded arms seems to be listening to Death who emerges next to her from the shadow. The bodies that are turned towards each other and the heads leaning against each other convey an atmosphere of intimacy.

From a compositional point of view, Käthe Kollwitz referred to preparatory drawings for »Inspiration« which were created in the context of the »Peasants War« cycle as early as 1904/05.

Contextual works

Käthe Kollwitz, Inspiration, 1904/1905, charcoal on Ingres paper, NT 296

Käthe Kollwitz, Inspiration, 1904/1905, black crayon, NT 297