Käthe Kollwitz, War, 1922 by Atelier Liesjes

About "Käthe Kollwitz, War, 1922"

by Atelier Liesjes

About the artwork

The work "Das Opfer" (The Sacrificial God) from the series "Krieg" (War) by Käthe Kollwitz is a powerful and poignant woodcut showing the gruesome consequences of war. In this woodcut, we see a woman, probably a mother, holding her child, a young soldier, in a final embrace before going to war. The faces of both the mother and child express intense emotions, from fear and sadness to despair and love.

The composition is simple but effective, focusing on the central figures and their tragic interaction. Kollwitz uses strong contrasts between light and dark to enhance the drama of the scene and draw attention to the heartbreaking farewell embrace. The lines and shapes are expressive and sketchy, adding to the emotional impact of the work.

This work is a poignant depiction of the human suffering caused by war, and it highlights the sacrifices families have to make. It is a powerful statement of Kollwitz's pacifist beliefs and her opposition to the horrors of war.

Käthe Kollwitz (Koningsbergen, German town in East Prussia, 8 July 1867 - Moritzburg, Saxony, Germany 22 April 1945), born Käthe Schmidt, was a German graphic artist and sculptress.

After training with Mauer, she went to Berlin for a year (1884-1885) to take classes at Karl Stauffer-Bern's school. Back in Koningsbergen, Käthe continued her studies under Emil Neide. During her student days, Kollwitz developed a keen interest in social democracy, the women's movement and the new naturalism in literature. She joined the Berliner Sezession in 1899.