THE COLLECTION
Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945)
In Memoriam Karl Liebknecht (Gedenkblatt für Karl Liebknecht)
- Date:
- (1920)
- Medium:
- Woodcut
- Dimensions:
- composition: 13 3/4 x 19 5/8" (34.9 x 49.9 cm); sheet: 18 3/4 x 25 1/16" (47.7 x 63.7 cm)
- Paper:
- Cream, smooth, wove Japan.
- Publisher:
- Emil Richter, Dresden
- Printer:
- Fritz Voigt, Berlin
- Edition:
- 100 numbered, signed and hand-printed on Japan paper (state V) [this ex.]; plus 2 known proofs before the edition and 9 known state proofs (states I-IV); and an unknown machine-printed edition with band of text attached at bottom (state VI); plus 9 known proofs
- Credit Line:
- The Philip and Lynn Straus Foundation Fund
- Copyright:
- © 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
- Reference:
- Wagner 135. Klipstein 139 III. Knesebeck 159 V b. Rifkind 1604.
- MoMA Number:
- 615.1998
- Themes:
- Death, Portraits, Postwar Politics
- Techniques:
- Woodcut
German Expressionism: The Graphic Impulse
March 27–July 11, 2011
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.