Public Lecture on German artist Käthe Kollwitz

2017 marks the 150th birthday of German artist Käthe Kollwitz. Famous for her socially engaged art especially between the two World Wars, Kollwitz and her social engagement for the poor, for children, and for war victims have often been studied through the lens of her biography—having lost a son in the war, much of her adult life was characterized by grieving this loss. Prof. McVeigh’s lecture seeks to broaden the focus and contextualize Käthe Kollwitz’ work as an artist and as a social activist in the context of the women’s movement in the first half of the 20th century. A critical look at Kollwitz’ status as an “icon” of this movement will also show how appropriation can stand in the way of an independent and multi-faceted appreciation of an artist’s work.