Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne

Although Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) visited the cathedral city of Cologne only a few times 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 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.

The photograph shows the tomb of the Levy family in the Jewish cemetery of Cologne-Bocklemünd: an upright white marble stone measuring 80 × 150 cm, bearing the relief of four clasping hands by Käthe Kollwitz. Beneath the relief is the inscription: »Ich lernte sehen, was klar ist / ich lernte fühlen, was wahr ist / ich lernte lieben, was rar ist« (I learned to see what is clear / I learned to feel what is true / I learned to love what is rare).

»... 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.

This photograph by Chris Franken shows the bronze sculpture »Der Schwebende« (The Grieving Angel) by Ernst Barlach — the second cast after the original working model of 1939 — in its present location in the Antoniterkirche in Cologne, seen frontally and turned to the left. The life-size bronze figure, hovering horizontally, hangs freely in the air from two chains, its straight body and arms crossed over the chest radiating a deep serenity. The face of the sculpture has closed eyes and seems absorbed in itself, while the flowing form of the robe reinforces the impression of a gentle flight.

»In creating the angel, the face of Käthe Kollwitz found its way into the work ...«

The »Floating Angel« by Ernst Barlach

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.

This photograph by Christian Nitz shows Käthe Kollwitz’s Memorial »Grieving Parents«, which is situated in the open interior of the ruins of the Old St Alban’s Church in Cologne. Amidst the weathered brick walls, two life-size, block-like stone figures kneel facing each other in silent grief: on the left, the father stands motionless, his gaze fixed straight ahead and his arms crossed tightly across his chest, whilst on the right, the mother, deeply bowed and lost in her own thoughts, mourns their son.

»Where else in our time is human suffering expressed in such simple grandeur?«

The Memorial »Grieving Parents«

In the church ruins of Alt St. Alban, the first Federal Memorial for the fallen of both world wars, there is a copy of Käthe Kollwitz's »Trauernde Eltern« (Grieving Parents).

Käthe Kollwitz in Cologne – A Stroll through the City

EIne farbige Skizze zeigt den Stadtplan der Kölner Innenstadt mit den Landmarken zu Orten, an denen Besucherinnen und Besucher Käthe Kollwitz begegnen können: Im Kollwitz Museum Köln, der Antoniterkirche Köln, der Kirchenruine Alt St. Alban und dem jüdischen Friedhof Köln-Bocklemünd.

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.

Join Us on a Guided Tour through the City

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 Kollwitz Museum Köln will be pleased to inform and advise you.

Group size
max. 12–15 people

Duration
90 minutes

Cost
€ 90, plus € 10 surcharge at weekends and on public holidays

Contact

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

Contact

Kollwitz Museum Köln
Kreissparkasse Köln
Kollwitz Forum
Neumarkt 18—24
50667 Cologne

+49 (0)221 227 2899
+49 (0)221 227 2602
museum@kollwitz.de

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
Public holidays: 11 am – 6 pm
First Thursday of each month: 11 am — 9 pm
Closed on Monday

Käthe Kollwitz — commitment and politics, emotional impact, unmistakably powerful art. Discover the world’s most comprehensive collection of her timelessly relevant works at the Kollwitz Museum Köln. Nowhere else can you get closer to Kollwitz.

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