Artwork
Working Woman with Blue Shawl
Working Woman with Blue Shawl is a print by Käthe Kollwitz. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
To see more of Kollwitz’s honest, powerful portraits, look up artist: Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945).
A woman in a blue shawl looks straight at you, her hands clasped, her face tired. The lines on her skin and the shadows under her eyes show hard work.
Kollwitz made this print so ordinary people could afford it. She wanted to show the lives of Berlin’s poor—workers, mothers, people often ignored. The woman’s gaze feels real, like she’s right in front of you.
To see more of Kollwitz’s honest, powerful portraits, look up artist: Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945).
Overview
Working Woman with Blue Shawl is a print by Käthe Kollwitz, created to reach a broad audience due to the medium's affordability and accessibility.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a weary female laborer from Berlin's underprivileged class, conveying both the hardships of her life and her inherent dignity through a direct, unflinching gaze and clasped hands.
Technique & Style
While specific techniques aren't detailed here, Kollwitz's choice of printmaking reflects her democratic approach to art; the subject's realistic portrayal, with emphasis on fatigue (lines, shadows under the eyes), underscores Kollwitz's honest representation style.
History & Provenance
Limited information is provided on the print's history and ownership timeline, though it is attributed to Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945).
Context
Created in the context of early 20th-century Berlin, the work highlights the plight of the city's poor, including workers and mothers, a demographic Kollwitz consistently brought attention to.
Legacy
The piece contributes to Kollwitz's legacy of powerful, honest portraits of marginalized individuals, encouraging viewers to engage with the realities of poverty and labor.
Artist & collection
Artist
Käthe Kollwitz (German pronunciation: born Schmidt; 8 July 1867 – 22 April 1945) was a German artist who worked with painting, printmaking (including etching, lithography and woodcuts) and sculpture.
