Käthe Kollwitz – Silent Strength
November 8, 2025 till January 18, 2026
This special exhibition presents rare drawings and proofs by Käthe Kollwitz from the important private collection of Cologne resident Ute Kahl. The focus is on those works that deal with the aspect of empathy in Käthe Kollwitz’s oeuvre, thus offering a new perspective on the artist’s work.
July 5 until July 13, 2025
To mark the opening of our new premises on the first floor, we are presenting the first special exhibition of works by the ceramic artist and great-grandson of Käthe Kollwitz, Jan Kollwitz.
The INTERVENTION format, which was successfully launched last year, will continue in 2024 – this year’s motto is “Kollwitz meets Colleagues”.
From October 19, 2024 to February 16, 2025, we will be showing woodcuts by the painter and graphic artist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976). Käthe Kollwitz initially had to adjust her eyes to the new, expressionist works of the young “Brücke” artists. After the First World War, her own devotion to the technique of woodcutting gave her access to Expressionism. Her war cycle is now juxtaposed with the ten woodcuts from the years 1914 – 1918 compiled by Schmidt-Rottluff for a graphic portfolio.
The INTERVENTION format, which was successfully launched last year, will be continued in 2024 – this year’s motto is “Kollwitz meets colleagues”.
From July 14, to October 6, extended until October 13, 2024 we will be showing animal sculptures by the sculptor August Gaul (1869-1921), with whom Käthe Kollwitz maintained a collegial relationship for many years and also turned to him for advice regarding her own sculptural works: “Today […] Gaul was in the studio and looked at my work at my request. Gave me some good practical advice. Was really nice as always.” (Diary from Nov 21, 1916)
The INTERVENTION format, which was successfully launched last year, will be continued in 2024 – this year under the motto “Kollwitz meets colleagues”.
From 23 March to 23 June 2024, the museum will be presenting works from its collection by the sculptor WILHELM LOTH (1920-1993), who turned to Käthe Kollwitz for advice as a young, budding artist in the late 1930s. She encouraged him to devote himself fully to art. Her work and her influence had a lasting effect on the young Loth and references to Kollwitz can be found in his work.