Her Most Famous Work (The Weavers) - Kathe Kollwitz
By Annette Labedzki

Kathe Schmidt Kollwitz or Kathe Kollwitz (July 8, 1867 - April 22, 1945) was a German printmaker, painter, and sculptor, born in Konigsberg, East Germany. She was one of the prominent female artists from Germany in the early twentieth-century. Although born in a middle-class family, Kollwitz's father encouraged her to pursue art. Kathe was taking private classes with local artists by the age of fourteen and later studied art in Munich and Berlin. Her work was distinctly characterized by the portrayal of underprivileged people and Kollwitz had this amazing ability to artistically portray human suffering. Social themes were predominant in all of Kathe's creative works throughout her career. Following her marriage to Dr. Karl Kollwitz, who mainly treated poor patients, she moved to Berlin. Her most famous creation was a series of six works called "The Weavers."

This series "The Weavers" was inspired by a drama of the same name, performed by Gerhart Hauptmann. The drama was a representation of the subjugation of Silesian weavers in the region of Langembielau and their failure in the revolt of 1842. The play inspired Kollwitz so much that she left her then assignment in hand to work on "The Weavers." Three of the creations of this six works series were lithographs ("Poverty," "Death," and "Conspiracy") and the other three etchings with sandpaper and aquatint ("March of the Weavers," "Riot," and "The End"). Although, this series was not an exact representation of the drama, it expressed the pitiable condition of the workers, their hope and bravery, and finally their end. The series of creations were publicly exhibited in 1898 and received widespread acclaim.

While her initial work was rooted in 'Naturalism,' slowly it drifted towards 'Expressionism.' She found the proletarian life beautiful. Another of her major creations, apart from "The Weavers," which kept her busy from 1902-08, was a series of creations titled the 'Peasant War,' a representation of the violent 'Peasant Revolution' in Southern Germany, beginning in 1525. Great size and excellent light & shadow effects marked this series.

In the mid 1930s, Kollwitz finalized her final major series of lithographs titled, 'Death,' comprising eight stones. This reflected her obsession with the idea of death at that point in her life. In her creative career, she created approximately 275 prints in lithography, etching, and woodcut. The few portraits Kathe Kollwitz made in her lifetime were only her own images. Nevertheless, her most widely known and hugely admired work of art remains "The Weavers."

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com.

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