Self-portrait, 1924

This is the fourth and last proof showing the artist in a three-quarter representation. The last folio in the »Death« cycle shows a detail with the same pose.

As a next step, she reduced the height of the 40 cm printing block by almost half thus achieving a stronger focus on the face.

By reducing the image section, she managed to condense the portrait and give it more intensity. The striking posture of the right hand was given further emphasis. The work shows the moment when she has just turned her head while her hand still remains in the previous position when she was probably supporting her head.

A preparatory drawing demonstrates that Käthe Kollwitz simulated the effects of white-line woodcuts by using opaque white and black washes on dark paper.

PREPARATORY DRAWING, PROOF

Käthe Kollwitz, Self-portrait in profile, looking left, 1924, brush and opaque white, partly washed in black, on dark-green drawing paper, NT 1001

Käthe Kollwitz, Self-portrait, 1924, woodcut, Kn 203 VIb