The Parents II (Die Eltern II)

Art Historical Context

Käthe Kollwitz, pioneering German Expressionist printmaker, created *The Parents II (Die II)* in 1923 as part of her poignant *War* series. Deeply influenced by the devastation of World War I—including the loss of her own son—Kollwitz channeled raw grief and social commentary into her works. This woodcut captures the profound sorrow of two aging parents, hunched in despair, embodying the enduring trauma borne by war's survivors amid the economic turmoil of Weimar Germany. Printed in stark black ink on delicate Japan paper, the medium exemplifies Kollwitz's mastery of woodcut techniques. She carved bold, simplified forms to achieve dramatic contrasts and emotional intensity, with rough textures evoking the harshness of life. The large sheet (39.1 x 47.3 cm) amplifies the figures' monumental presence, drawing viewers into their silent anguish—a hallmark of her empathetic style that elevated printmaking to fine art. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection, this piece remains a timeless anti-war testament, highlighting Kollwitz's role in advocating for the working class and maternal suffering. Its unflinching honesty continues to resonate, inviting reflection on human resilience amid catastrophe.

About the Artist

Käthe Kollwitz · 1867–1945

Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) was a German artist whose powerful images of poverty, war, and maternal grief established her as the foremost practitioner of socially engaged art in early 20th-century Europe. Working primarily in printmaking—including etching, lithography, and woodcut—as well as drawing and sculpture, Kollwitz created works of raw emotional power that gave voice to the suffering of wor...