Exhibition Archive

“We haven’t seen ‘Penthesilea’ yet”

Starting February 21, the special exhibition in the former Theater building of Charlottenburg Palace sheds light for the first time on Käthe Kollwitz’s passion for theater and its influence on her work. It also shows her family’s close connections to the stage during a formative phase of Berlin’s theater history.

Exclusive guided tours with guest curator Dr Annette Seeler
Tuesday, March, 31 and April 14 and 28, 2026,
16:00 each day
No registration required.

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)