Whetting the Scythe 1905

Kathe Kollwitz created this print, ‘Whetting the Scythe,’ using etching, drypoint and aquatint. Looking at this piece, we can see a figure hunched over, sharpening a scythe. Kollwitz was working in Germany at a time of great social and political upheaval. As an artist, she was deeply concerned with the plight of the working class and the injustices they faced. This image of a peasant sharpening their tool could be seen as a commentary on the growing unrest and the potential for revolt. The scythe, a tool associated with labor, becomes a symbol of resistance. To understand the artwork fully, one can refer to historical accounts, political pamphlets, and manifestos from the period. Kollwitz challenges the institutions of art, using her work as a platform to address social issues and advocate for change.