Käthe Kollwitz is one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, and arguably the greatest female artist. Her undeniable talent soon established her as a leading printmaker in a profession then dominated by men, even though she was a fierce social critic and focused her aesthetic vision on women and the working class. Known for her total mastery of graphic art, Kollwitz is equally recognized for her work’s deep humanity and emotional power. This lavishly illustrated catalogue accompanies a major exhibition to showcase the artist’s early work, self-portraits and relationship with her major patron, Max Lehrs, and is timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of her birth.

Petra Kuhlmann-Hodick is Senior Curator at Kupferstich-Kabinett, Dresden; Agnes Matthias is Research Curator at Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden; Alexandra von der Knesebeck is author of the catalogue raisonné of Käthe Kollwitz’s prints; Hannelore Fischer is Director of the Käthe Kollwitz Museum, Cologne.