Artwork
Self-Portrait with Hand on Forehead (Selbstbildnis mit der Hand an der Stirn)
Self-Portrait with Hand on Forehead (Selbstbildnis mit der Hand an der Stirn) is an ink print by Käthe Kollwitz. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1910, this print by Käthe Kollwitz combines etching and drypoint, rendered in a deep black‑brown ink on smooth wove paper. The image presents a solitary head, turned slightly away, with the artist’s hand pressed to the forehead, set against an unadorned background that isolates the figure and emphasizes the gesture.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a self‑portrait, capturing a moment of introspection or concern. The hand placed on the brow suggests contemplation or a response to inner tension, while the quick, restless lines of hair and facial features convey a sense of emotional urgency that aligns with Kollwitz’s broader preoccupation with human suffering.
Technique & Style
Kollwitz employed a metal plate, incising lines with a sharp needle for drypoint and using acid to bite broader areas for etching. The resulting marks are crisp and densely textured, producing dark, expressive strokes that appear almost improvised, reflecting the artist’s transition from early realism toward a more expressionistic visual language.
Context
At the time of its creation, Kollwitz was already recognized for her socially engaged art, addressing poverty, war, and the plight of the working class. Though often associated with Expressionism, this print retains a realist attention to detail while embracing the heightened emotional tone characteristic of the movement.
History & Provenance
The print forms part of Kollwitz’s extensive printmaking oeuvre, which she pursued alongside painting and sculpture. It was produced during a period when she was gaining institutional recognition, later becoming the first woman admitted to the Prussian Academy of Arts and receiving an honorary professorship.
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.
