The shrouded body of Communist leader Karl Liebknecht lies horizontally along the bottom of this print—Kollwitz’s first woodcut. Surrounding him are his grieving working-class followers. In January 1919 Liebknecht helped lead an armed revolt in Berlin, which was brutally suppressed by right-wing paramilitary units; he was captured and murdered. Although not a Communist, Kollwitz was appalled: “As an artist, I have the right to . . . represent the workers’ farewell to Liebknecht . . . without following Liebknecht politically. Or not?!” Nearby drawings show how she worked to respectfully capture his face and his mourners’ sorrowful expressions.
Gallery label from Käthe Kollwitz, March 31–July 20, 2024
Kollwitz created this image as a response to the brutal murder of Karl Liebknecht, a Communist leader who helped lead an armed revolt against the Socialist government in January 1919. He was assassinated by right-wing paramilitary units. Kollwitz's composition is based on traditional Christian lamentation scenes, thus placing Liebknecht in the role of martyr. The artist paid special attention to the dignity and pathos of Liebknecht’s working-class followers, who had put their hope and faith in him.
Gallery label from German Expressionism: The Graphic Impulse, March 27–July 11, 2011
