Kathe Kollwitz

Date of Birth: July 8, 1867

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: April 22, 1945

Biography

Käthe Kollwitz was a renowned German artist known for her powerful and emotive works that primarily focused on the themes of war, poverty, and social injustice. Born as Käthe Schmidt on July 8, 1867, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), she was profoundly influenced by the socio-political environment of her time. Kollwitz trained initially at the Berlin School for Women Artists and later at the Munich Women’s Art School, where she honed her skills in drawing and printmaking. Her work gained critical recognition with her series “A Weavers’ Revolt” (1893-1897), which depicted the plight of the working class. Another notable series, “The Peasant War” (1902-1908), further solidified her reputation as an artist deeply concerned with the human condition. Kollwitz’s personal experience of losing her son Peter in World War I left an indelible mark on her work, leading to some of her most poignant pieces, such as “The Grieving Parents” sculpture. Kollwitz was the first woman to be elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts, but she was forced to resign in 1933 due to the rise of the Nazi regime, which deemed her work “degenerate.” Despite the political and personal hardships, Kollwitz continued to produce art that resonated with themes of suffering and resilience until her death on April 22, 1945.

5 Interesting Facts about Kathe Kollwitz

1. Käthe Kollwitz was the first female artist elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts.

2. Her son Peter’s death in World War I profoundly influenced her later works.

3. She was forced to resign from the Prussian Academy of Arts by the Nazi regime in 1933.

4. Kollwitz’s home and studio were destroyed in a bombing raid during World War II.

5. Her works continue to be celebrated for their emotional depth and social commentary.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kathe Kollwitz

1. “I am in the world to change the world.”

2. “I want to have an effect during this age in which people are so perplexed and in need of help.”

3. “Art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, in a constant search for the truth.”

4. “I am neither a Socialist nor a Democrat, but I am a human being.”

5. “The artist is usually a child of his time, especially if his time is one of turmoil and upheaval.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Käthe Kollwitz’s net worth is not well-documented, as her primary focus was on social and political issues rather than personal wealth. However, her artworks have sold for significant sums posthumously.

Children

Käthe Kollwitz had two sons, Hans and Peter. Peter was killed in action during World War I, an event that deeply affected Kollwitz and influenced much of her later work. Her surviving son, Hans, went on to become a medical doctor.