The Prisoners 1908

"The Prisoners" (1908) is a powerful woodcut by German artist Käthe Kollwitz, now housed at the British Museum. This work depicts a group of people bound together by a rope, their faces etched with despair and hardship. Kollwitz's work, known for its social realism and expressiveness, often explored themes of poverty, war, and the human condition. This piece, with its stark black-and-white composition, evokes a sense of captivity and the weight of suffering. The artist's masterful use of line and shading creates a sense of depth and emotion, making this artwork a poignant representation of human resilience in the face of adversity.