Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945). <em>Bust of a Working Woman in a Blue Shawl (Brustbild einer Arbeiterfrau mit blauem Tuch)</em>, 1903. Color lithograph on wove paper, image: 13 7/8 × 9 5/8 in. (35.2 × 24.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 39.14. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 39.14_view1_PS12.jpg)

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Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945). Bust of a Working Woman in a Blue Shawl (Brustbild einer Arbeiterfrau mit blauem Tuch), 1903. Color lithograph on wove paper, image: 13 7/8 × 9 5/8 in. (35.2 × 24.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 39.14. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 39.14_view1_PS12.jpg)

Bust of a Working Woman in a Blue Shawl (Brustbild einer Arbeiterfrau mit blauem Tuch)

Käthe Kollwitz

European Art

The influence of Käthe Kollwitz’s training as a painter can be sensed in the brushy texture of the early color lithograph Bust of a Working Woman in a Blue Shawl. The print also reflects her sympathy with the progressive labor movement, which sought better working and living conditions for impoverished Germans. Although she is perhaps best known for her woodcuts, the ease and directness of lithography appealed to her, as well. It was, as she noted, “a technique which hardly seems like one, it is so easy. It seized only the essential.”

ARTIST Käthe Kollwitz, German, 1867–1945

MEDIUM Color lithograph on wove paper

Place Made: Germany

DATES 1903

DIMENSIONS image: 13 7/8 × 9 5/8 in. (35.2 × 24.4 cm) sheet: 22 7/16 × 17 3/4 in. (57 × 45.1 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed, "Kathe Kollowitz" in pencil, lower right margin

INSCRIPTIONS Lower right in graphite: "Käthe Kollwitz"; Lower edge near right corner: "Arbeiterfrau"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 39.14

CREDIT LINE Museum Collection Fund

PROVENANCE Prior to 1939, provenance not yet documented; by 1939, acquired by Gutekunst & Klipstein, Bern, Switzerland; 1939, purchased from Gutekunst & Klipstein by the Brooklyn Museum.

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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Condition: good.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867–1945). Bust of a Working Woman in a Blue Shawl (Brustbild einer Arbeiterfrau mit blauem Tuch), 1903. Color lithograph on wove paper, image: 13 7/8 × 9 5/8 in. (35.2 × 24.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 39.14. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 39.14_view1_PS12.jpg)

STATE II/III

IMAGE overall, 39.14_view1_PS12.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2016

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