Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Käthe Kollwitz. It is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1947, this untitled work by Käthe Kollwitz is a print that combines etching and drypoint techniques. The piece is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art and presents a stark, monochrome portrait rendered in a highly expressive manner.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a head wrapped in a scarf, with the figure’s eyes closed and hands covering the mouth and nose. The closed eyes and concealed face suggest introspection or distress, while the gesture of the hands may imply a desire to hide or protect oneself.
Technique & Style
Kollwitz employed both etching and drypoint, incising lines into a metal plate to produce deep, uneven marks. The resulting prints feature rough, scratch‑like strokes that convey urgency and raw emotion, characteristic of her late‑period approach to printmaking.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in the final years of Kollwitz’s life, a period marked by personal loss and political turmoil. It entered the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, where it remains on display as an example of her mature print practice.
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.
