The People (Das Volk)

Art Historical Context

Käthe Kollwitz's *The People (Das Volk, created between 1922 and 1923, captures the raw spirit of post-World War I Germany during the Weimar Republic. As a pioneering female artist and committed socialist, Kollwitz often depicted the struggles of the working class, from her own experiences with poverty, loss, and social injustice. This woodcut reflects her lifelong focus on the dignity and plight of ordinary people, amid economic collapse and political upheaval that defined the era. Printed on wove paper and subtly enhanced with opaque white watercolor and black wash, the work exemplifies Kollwitz's mastery of woodcut—a demanding relief printing technique that yields stark contrasts and bold, emotive lines. These hand-applied touches add depth and luminosity, transforming the print into a unique, painterly object. Measuring about 36 × 30 cm, its intimate scale invites close contemplation, amplifying its emotional intensity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection, *The People* stands as a testament to Kollwitz's influence on Expressionism and social realism in printmaking. Her unflinching humanism continues to resonate, reminding visitors of art's power to voice collective suffering and resilience.

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...