Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Käthe Kollwitz. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled, a lithographic print executed in 1921 by German artist Käthe Kollwitz, belongs to the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Though the work bears no title, it is commonly identified as a religiously themed image that confronts the viewer with stark human suffering.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a gaunt child pressed against a woman's torso, her skeletal fingers reaching outward into emptiness. The juxtaposition of the child's vulnerability and the woman's desperate clutch conveys the acute anguish of famine, suggesting a universal plea for compassion and spiritual solace.
Technique & Style
Kollwitz employed a direct lithographic method, incising the image onto the stone with rapid, vigorous strokes. The resulting lines are uneven and aggressive, emphasizing the harsh contours of ribs and hollow cheeks, and reinforcing the work’s raw emotional impact.
History & Provenance
Created in response to the severe famine that afflicted Russia in the early 1920s, the print was intended to generate funds for relief efforts. After its initial charitable purpose, the work entered the Museum of Modern Art’s holdings, where it remains on display.
Context
The piece reflects Kollwitz’s broader engagement with social injustice and her commitment to using art as a vehicle for humanitarian aid. Its religious overtones align with her recurring exploration of suffering, redemption, and the moral responsibilities of society.
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.
