Greeting 1892

Editor: Here we have Käthe Kollwitz's 1892 etching, "Greeting." There's something almost medieval about it, perhaps because it reminds me of a sketch from a fairytale book? I find it has a quiet and melancholy feel. What are your first impressions? Curator: Melancholy is a fantastic starting point. For me, the power lies in its deceptive simplicity. Kollwitz often wrestled with the realities of poverty and the working class. It's never *just* a greeting, is it? There's a whole world, histories between these figures. The stoicism in the woman's posture. Do you see that slight hesitancy? Editor: Now that you mention it, I see a definite contrast between the man, almost jovial, and the woman who appears a little closed off. Is that typical of Kollwitz? Curator: Absolutely. She had this uncanny knack for humanizing complex emotions and relationships. Remember, she was deeply influenced by the German Expressionist movement, though with her own fierce twist. This etching isn't just an observation; it's an invitation to contemplate their lived experiences. Editor: I can see that. So the seeming simplicity actually holds quite a bit of depth, inviting us to really look and think about each individual's perspective. Curator: Precisely! It becomes a silent dialogue with the viewer. Editor: It's like she's daring us to imagine their stories beyond the surface. Thanks, I will look at Kollwitz's work in a completely different way. Curator: Exactly, isn’t that the fun of art?