Käthe-Kollwitz Museum

The Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum in Berlin, located in the heart of the Charlottenburg district, is a permanent tribute to the work and life of Käthe Kollwitz, one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. Founded in 1986, this institution originated from the private collection of Hans Pels-Leusden, a Berlin collector and gallerist who had gathered a vast selection of Kollwitz’s works since the post-war period. The museum moved to its current location in 2022, an elegant building in the Theaterbau of Charlottenburg Palace, thus increasing the exhibition space and improving accessibility for visitors. Käthe Kollwitz, born in 1867 in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), is famous for her art that explores themes of suffering, war, poverty, and human solidarity. Her works, which include drawings, prints, lithographs, and sculptures, are characterized by a raw and powerful realism. Through her art, Kollwitz documented and denounced social injustices, becoming an important voice against war and poverty.The museum houses one of the largest collections of Kollwitz’s works, with over 200 original pieces, including drawings, prints, posters, and sculptures. Among the most famous works on display are the cycles of prints “The Weavers’ Revolt” (1897) and “The Peasants’ War” (1902-1908), which document the struggles of the working classes in Germany. These cycles are known for their intense and compassionate representation of human suffering, and for how Kollwitz captured the dignity and resilience of her subjects.One of the most touching aspects of the museum’s collection is the series of self-portraits by Käthe Kollwitz, spanning over fifty years. These portraits offer an intimate and personal look into the artist’s life, showing her face marked by pain and determination. The portraits also reflect the evolution of her artistic style, from the naturalism of her early works to a more expressionistic realism in her later pieces.One particularly significant work on display at the museum is the sculpture “The Grieving Parents” (1932), a memorial for her son Peter, who died in World War I. The sculpture, located in a war cemetery in Belgium, depicts two figures kneeling in grief, with the faces modeled after Käthe and her husband Karl Kollwitz. This sculpture is a powerful symbol of mourning and devastation caused by war, representing one of the most personal and painful moments in the artist’s life. The museum not only exhibits Kollwitz’s works, but also offers a series of temporary exhibitions that explore related themes and present works by the artist’s contemporaries, as well as modern artists. These temporary exhibitions enrich the cultural offering of the museum and stimulate dialogue on current issues through the prism of historical art.An interesting anecdote about the museum’s foundation: it was Hans Pels-Leusden, a great admirer of the artist, who began collecting Kollwitz’s works in the post-war period. His passion and dedication led to the creation of such a vast collection that in 1986 it was decided to open a museum dedicated to Käthe Kollwitz. This act of patronage has allowed for the preservation and valorization of the work of an artist who deeply marked the artistic and social landscape of the 20th century.The Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum is easily accessible, located near public transportation, and is a must-visit for those exploring Berlin. Its new location at Charlottenburg Palace not only offers a historic and picturesque setting, but also allows for a broader and more comfortable enjoyment of the exhibited works.