MoMA: Extensive retrospective for revolutionary printmaker Käthe Kollwitz in 2024

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has exciting news for all art enthusiasts as they announce a key retrospective dedicated to the printmaker Käthe Kollwitz, scheduled for next year. This exhibition will provide you with an extensive exploration of Kollwitz's influential body of work, celebrating her artistic contributions and shedding light on her innovative approach to printmaking.

The upcoming retrospective of Käthe Kollwitz at the Museum of Modern Art in New York is a highly anticipated event. Kollwitz, the pioneering German printmaker renowned for her poignant depictions of women, the working class, and profound themes of grief and war, will finally receive the recognition she deserves. Curated by MoMA prints and drawings curator Starr Figura, along with curatorial assistant Maggie Hire, the exhibition is scheduled to run from March 31 to July 20, 2024. This retrospective marks a significant milestone as it will be Kollwitz's first comprehensive exhibition in a New York City museum and the most prominent showcase of her work in the United States in over three decades.

Figura's contemplation of organizing an exhibition dedicated to Kollwitz began approximately five years ago. However, due to the pandemic, the plans were temporarily put on hold. In 2021, the curator resumed her research for the show, inspired by her encounters with Kollwitz's works during her global travels to various museums. These encounters, particularly with pieces not included in MoMA's permanent collection, reignited her passion for Kollwitz's art and further motivated her commitment to organizing this retrospective.

Who was Käthe Kollwitz?

The artist was born in 1867 in Königsberg and dedicated the majority of her career to Germany. Despite her immense contributions, she remains relatively lesser-known outside of specialized circles, particularly in the United States. Starr Figura expressed her hope that the forthcoming exhibition will help change this. Kollwitz holds a unique position in art history, as her work is highly recognized within the realms of graphic arts, feminism, and social-political art. She serves as a touchstone for feminist and women artists and is renowned for addressing social justice issues, specifically shedding light on the struggles faced by the working class in the aftermath of industrialization and World War I.

Figura highlights several factors that have contributed to Kollwitz's somewhat marginalized status in the larger context of modernism. These factors include her gender, her focus on graphic arts, and her dedication to addressing social issues. Notably, while the period from the 1890s to the early 1940s marked the rise of abstraction in art history, Kollwitz steadfastly remained committed to figurative art, prioritizing its social purpose and giving representation to the underrepresented. As the art world continues to embrace a more diverse canon, it is intriguing to consider Kollwitz's place within the broader artistic landscape.

The upcoming exhibition will encompass approximately 120 to 130 artworks featuring a combination of pieces from MoMA's permanent collection, including around 35 works by Käthe Kollwitz, as well as loans from institutions and collections across the United States and Europe. Notably, the exhibition will offer a remarkable opportunity to witness Kollwitz's intensive and deeply engaging creative process, particularly evident in prints that she extensively enhanced by hand.