Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne

Although Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) visited the cathedral city of Cologne only twice in person, the work of the Berlin-based artist is firmly anchored in the cityscape.

Memories of the life and work of the draughtswoman, graphic artist, and sculptress have their place here not only in the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln – but also in the gravestone she designed for Franz and Doris Levy in the Jewish cemetery in Cologne’s Bocklemünd district, in Ernst Barlach’s memorial in the Antoniterkirche, the »Floating Angel« with the unmistakable facial features of Kollwitz, and in the replica of her »Grieving Parents« in the church ruins of Alt St. Alban, the first federal memorial in Germany for the fallen of the two world wars.

Käthe Kollwitz, Gravestone Relief for Franz Levy, 1938, marble, 80 x 150 cm, executed by Franz Bursch after a model by the artist, Photo: Lynn Busch 2022 © Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln
»... the indissoluble feeling of togetherness …«

The Gravestone Relief for Franz Levy

Far from the city centre, in the west of Cologne, lies the Bocklemünd Jewish Cemetery. Only a few people know that a work by Käthe Kollwitz can also be found here. It is a relief on the gravestone of Franz and Doris Levy.
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Ernst Barlach, Floating Angel, bronze, 71 x 74.5 x 217 cm, second casting after the original working model from 1939, in the Antoniterkirche, Cologne, Photo: Chris Franken 2022 © Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln
»In creating the angel, the face of Käthe Kollwitz found its way into the work ...«

Barlach’s Floating Angel

In the Antoniterkirche, not far from the Käthe Kollwitz Museum, we encounter the artist in a special way: The »Floating Angel«, created by Ernst Barlach in 1927, unmistakably bears her facial features..
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Käthe Kollwitz, Memorial »Grieving Parents«, 1914-1932, slightly enlarged replicas of the original sculptures (Father: ca. 178 x 66 x 88 cm; Mother: ca. 164 x 70 x 120 cm), shell limestone, German federal memorial for the fallen of the two world wars in the church ruins of Alt St. Alban, Cologne; executed by the workshop of Ewald Mataré in 1953/54, inaugurated in 1959 © Photo Archive Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln
»Where else in our time is human suffering expressed in such simple grandeur?«

The Memorial Grieving Parents

A replica of Käthe Kollwitz’s »Floating Angel« is located in the church ruins of Alt St. Alban, the Federal Republic of Germany’s first memorial to the fallen of both world wars.
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Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne – A Stroll through the City

Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne - Google Maps

We invite you to discover the sites and works associated with Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne – a route we have stored for you on Google Maps will show you the way. 

The Käthe Kollwitz City Stroll can also be booked as an individual guided tour. Are you interested?
Then get in touch with us! Just tell us your wishes for the date and topic of your guided tour.
The art educators at the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln will be pleased to inform and advise you.

Contakt
Kerstin Schubert, Anne Halbey
+49 (0)221 / 227-2899
museum@kollwitz.de

Address

Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln

Neumarkt 18-24 / Neumarkt Passage

50667 Köln

+49 (0)221 227 2899

+49 (0)221 227 2602

Opening hours

Tue - Sun

11 am – 6 pm

Public holidays

11 am – 6 pm

First Thu each month

11 am – 8 pm

Mon

closed

Please note

The Käthe Kollwitz Museum's exhibition rooms are temporarily closed due to extensive renovation work.

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