Kathe Kollwitz (1867 - 1945)

Printmaker and sculptor Kathe Kollwitz was born Kathe Schmidt in Königsberg, East Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia). She studied at the Artsts' School in Berlin and, under Karl Stauffer-Bern, created her first etchings in 1890. In 1891 she married and settled with her husband Karl Kollwitz in north Berlin, a working class district where he practiced medicine. Throughout the course of her artistic life, Kollwitz was an eloquent advocate for victims of social injustice, war and inhumanity, and her lifelong proximity to the poor and downtrodden kindled her admiration for their courage.

Her first masterwork was the cycle of three lithographs and three etchings depicting the Silesian Weavers' revolt of 1842, exhibited in 1898, followed in 1908 by the Peasants' War cycle, six etchings depicting the sixteenth century rebellion of farmers in southern Germany; a work that is widely regarded as her finest in this medium.

In 1904, Kollwitz studied sculplture at the Academie Julian in Paris and went on to produce a series of emotionally powerful works, including the intensely personal Die Eltern (The Parents), a memorial to her son Peter who was was killed in Flanders during World War I.

Impressed by the woodcuts of Ernst Barlach, Kollwitz produced a number of works in this medium beginning in 1919. In 1920, she was elected a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts, the first woman to be so honored. With the advent of National Socialism, Kollwitz was forced to resign her position at the Academy and her works were suppressed. Owing to her worldwide reputation, she was largely left alone by the authorities. She died in Moritzburg, near Berlin, in the closing days of World War II.

Vier Manner in der Kneipe

Etching on wove paper, 1892 or 1893, printed 1931. Image size 6-1/8” x 5-1/8;” sheet size 13” x 9-7/8.” Published by A. von der Becke with publisher’s blind stamp in lower plate margin. Overall very good condition. Klipstein 12- III b.

$275

Tod und Frau

Etching and soft ground on wove paper, 1910, printed later; edition not stated. Image size 17½” x 18¾;” sheet size 23½ x 21¼”. Published by A. von der Becke, Munich in 1945. A stark and powerful image in overall very good condition, with adhesive staining from prior mounting, well beyond the sight area. Klipstein 103 / VIII / b.

$1,800

Die Mutter

Woodcut on cream wove paper, originally published 1922/23. This impression published in 1949 by A. von der Becke, Berlin, and bears the von der Becke insignia at the lower left-hand corner of the sheet and the von der Becke blind stamp at the lower right-hand edge of the image; edition not stated. Image size 15½” x 13” with full margins. Plate 6 from the Krieg cycle. Klipstein 182 v/V. Faint toning in the sight area and tape remnants from an earlier framing along the upper rear edge of the sheet, else fine.

SOLD

Betendes Madchen

Etching, 1892; edition not stated. Image size 5-5/8” x 7-9/16”; sheet size 10-3/8” x 13¾”. A rich, beautifully inked impression printed 1931 - 1941. Klipstein 11, IV, b Von der Becke blind stamp. Fine.

SOLD

Selbstbildnis

Etching, 1912; edition of 50, published by Emil Richter in 1920. Image size 4” x 5½”; sheet size 9-5/8” x 12½. Signed by the artist in the lower margin. A rich, warm impression in fine condition. Klipstein 122, state VII, c.

$5,200

Die Eltern

Woodcut on cream wove paper, originally published 1923. This impression published in 1949 by A. von der Becke, Berlin, and bears the von der Becke insignia at the lower left-hand corner of the sheet and the von der Becke blind stamp at the lower right-hand edge of the image; edition not stated. Image size 16½” x 13-7/16” with full margins. Plate 3 from the Krieg cycle. Klipstein 179 iv/IV. Faint toning in the sight area and tape remnants from an earlier framing along the upper rear edge of the sheet, else fine.

$3,700

Not (Distress)

Lithograph, 1897; edition of 50 published by Emil Richter in 1920. This is the first in a cycle of six prints entitled Revolt of the Weavers (1893-98) which drew high critical acclaim when it was shown at the Great Berlin Art Exhibition in 1898. The recommendation that Kollwitz receive a gold medal in recognition of the consummate emotional and technical artistry of her work was vetoed by that incomparable art connoisseur, Kaiser Wilhelm II, who took great umbrage at both the gender of the artist and the subject of the series. Typical of her frank depiction of the oppression of Germany's poorest workers, the Weavers' revolt set the tone for the grand theme of her subsequent work. Numbered 7/50 and signed by the artist in the lower margin. A fine impression showing moderate light stain and rippling at the edges of the sheet not affecting the image Overall good condition. Klipstein 34, state II, b.

SOLD

Stehender Weiblicher Akt

Etching, 1900; edition of 50, published in 1920 by Emil Richter. Image size 4-3/4” x 6½”; plate impression 5½" x 7"; sheet size 11” x 15”. A well-inked impression with all rich tonal subtleties and in overall very good condition. Signed by the artist in the lower margin. Numbered 8/50. Klipstein 46, state II, b

$6,500

Nachdenkende Frau (Version II)

Lithograph, 1920; edition not stated. Overall size 17-3/8" x 23½". Printed by Emil Richter, Dresden. A self portrait, signed by the artist in the lower left corner. A very good impression. The sheet is in good condition: the periphery has pin holes, a small closed tear in the upper right margin, a small loss upper left corner, and a repair in the upper right corner, none of which affects the sight area. Klipstein 147, II.

$4,200

Kindersterben (Infant Mortality)

Woodcut, 1925, from the portfolio Proletariat, published by Emil Richter in 1926. Image size 275 x 356mm. A fine, richly inked impression. Klipstein 208.

$2,100

Aufruhr (Revolt) from The Peasants' Revolt

Etching, originally published 1899; image size 12-3/8” x 11-3/8” sheet size 14-1/8” x 13-5/16”. Printed ca. 1946-48 by A. von der Becke & Sohn, Berlin. Very good impression with smoke & flames visible over the castle. Klipstein 44, eighth state of eight.

SOLD

Beim Dengelm

Etching, 1905; edition not stated. Image size 11-5/8” x 11-5/8”; sheet size 15-3/8” x 14½”. Plate 3 from the cycle Bauernkrieg (Peasants' War). Published by A. von der Becke & Sohne, ca. 1945-46. A fine impression in fine condition. Klipstein 90, XII, b with Von der Becke blind stamp.

$2,800

Sturm (Riot) from The Revolt of the Weavers

Etching, originally published 1897; image size 12” x 9½” sheet size14-3/16” x 11-1/16”. Printed ca. 1946-48 by A. von der Becke & Sohn, Berlin. Very fine dark impression, small tear lower left hand corner of the sheet well away from the plate margins. Klipstein 33, state V-b

$1,200

Mourner, from Gedenkblatt Für Karl Liebknecht

The original edition of this image, which was cut from the larger and more complex original plate published in 1919 (Klipstein 137, states I - IV), was printed 1n 1933 on either handmade (opaque) or Japan (thin, translucent) paper. These proofs were signed by Kollwitz but this entire edition was not issued, probably due to dramatically changed political circumstances. The 1945 edition was posthumously printed and was either stamped with Kollwitz's facsimile signature or, as in this case, embossed with the von der Becke blind stamp. Image size 6¼” x 11;” sheet size 10½” x 15¾.” Edition size unknown.

Social Democrats Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg, together with like-minded socially progressive organizations, founded the German Communist Party on January 1, 1919 in the midst of the civil war that embroiled Germany at that time. Both were captured by the right-wing paramilitary Freikorps and both were murdered just two weeks later on January 15.

Käthe Kollwitz, whose elder son Peter was killed in the first week of World War 1, sympathized with the proletariat among whom she and her physician husband lived and worked, and created the large-format etching “Memorial for Karl Liebknecht” at that time.

In 1933, the original plate was divided. The solitary mourner at the left of the original work is the subject of the smaller unnamed impression thus created. von der Becke blind stamp, overall very good condition. Klipstein 137 / V / A

$575

Die Gefangenen (The Prisoners)

Etching, plate 7 from the cycle Peasants' Revolt. Image size 423 x 327 mm with full margins. Originally published in 1908, this copy was printed by A. von der Becke, Berlin ca. 1963-72, embossed with the publisher's two-line blind stamp. A very good impression. Klipstein 98 VIIIb. Handsomely framed using archival materials.

$3,600

Stehende Mutter, ihr Büblein fütternd

Etching, 1928; edition not stated. Image size 6” x 7¾”; sheet size 10¼” x 13”. Published by von der Becke, ca. 1932. A beautiful impression in fine condition. Klipstein 247, II, before addition of cross-hatching to the mother's arm and finger, and before the reduction of the plate.

$3,200

Mutter mit Kind auf dem Arm

Lithograph, originally published in 1916. This copy from the portfolio Sechs Lithographien, published ca. 1960 by A. von der Becke & Sohne, Berlin. Image size 7½" x 13"; sheet size 12-5/8” x 18-7/8”, with Von der Becke monogram in lower left corner of sheet. A very good impression with minor foxing.

SOLD

Deutschlands Kinder Hungern

Lithograph, originally published in 1924. Image size 11” x 16½”; sheet size 14¼” x 20-1/8”. This copy from the portfolio Sechs Lithographien, published ca.1960 by A. von der Becke & Sohne, Berlin. Image size 7½" x 13"; sheet size 12-5/8” x 18-7/8”. A very good impression with minor foxing. Framed using archival materials.

$275

Brot!

Lithograph, originally published in 1924. Image size 11" x 14"; sheet size 14¼” x 20-1/8”. This copy from the portfolio Sechs Lithographien, published ca. 1960 by A. von der Becke & Sohne, Berlin. A very good impression with minor foxing.

SOLD

Selbstbildnis

Lithograph, originally published in 1924. Image size 9" x 11¼"; sheet size 14¼” x 20-1/8”. This copy from the portfolio Sechs Lithographien, published ca. 1960 by A. von der Becke & Sohne, Berlin. A very good impression with minor foxing.

SOLD

Besuch Im Kinderkrankenhaus

Lithograph, originally published in 1926. Image size 13” x 10-3/4”; sheet size 17-3/4” x 13-3/4”. This copy from the portfolio Sechs Lithographien, published ca. 1960 by A. von der Becke & Sohne, Berlin. A very good impression with minor foxing.

$175

Mutter Mit Jungen

Lithograph, originally published in 1931. Image size 8-3/4” x 14½”; sheet size 15” x 20½”. This copy from the portfolio Sechs Lithographien, published ca. 1960 by A. von der Becke & Sohne, Berlin. A very good impression with minor foxing.

SOLD

Selbstbildnis

Lithograph on cream colored background, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 13-3/4” x 10½”; sheet size 15” x 11-3/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Drawing For The Gravestone Of Professor Breysig

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 10¼” x 14-1/8”; sheet size 10¼” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$25

Karl Kollwitz, ca. 1940

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 10-3/8” x 14”; sheet size 11” x 15-3/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$25

Dr. Heinrich Braun

$30

Barlach, October 27, 1938

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 13-5/8” x 9-3/4”; sheet size15” x 11-3/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Family, ca. 1935

$30

Family G., ca. 1923

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 14-1/8” x 9-3/4”; sheet size 15” x 11-3/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$25

The Mother

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 10-1/8” x 14-1/8; sheet size ”10-3/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Mother With Children, 1932

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 9-5/8” x 12-3/4”; sheet size 10¼” x 14-7/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Konrad rust der Tod, 1932

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size9-3/4” x 13½”; sheet size 11-3/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$25

As I Stand And Dig My Own Grave, 1943

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 10-1/8” x 14”; sheet size 10¼” x 14-7/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Drawing For the Lithograph "Hermitage"

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 9-3/4” x 13-5/8”; sheet size 11-3/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$30

Childrens' Court

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 9-3/4” x 14”; sheet size 11-3/8” x 15-3/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$40

Study For A Sculpture

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 10-3/8” x13-7/8”; sheet size 11-3/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$25

Soldiers' Wives, 1943

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 9-3/4” x 13-5/8”; sheet size 10-1/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Sketch For Commemorative Woodcut For Karl Liebknecht, 1919

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 9-3/4” x 12½”; sheet size 10-1/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$30

Self Portrait With Karl Kollwitz, 1942

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 10” x 13-3/4”; sheet size 11-3/8” x 15”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

SOLD

Self-Portrait

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 9-3/4” x 13-3/4”; sheet size 10-3/8” x 14-7/8”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$35

Sleeping

Lithograph, 1965 (second edition); edition size not stated. Image size 13” x 8¼”; sheet size 15-3/8” x 11”. From the portfolio Twenty-one Drawings Of The Late Years, first published by Gebruder Mann Verlag, Berlin, in 1948.

$35

Last Self-Portrait, 1943

SOLD