Lament Possibly 1938 - 1960

bronze, sculpture

portrait

17_20th-century

woman

head

sculpture

bronze

charcoal drawing

sculptural image

possibly oil pastel

unrealistic statue

sculpting

underpainting

sculpture

expressionism

charcoal

graphite

statue

"Lament" is a bronze sculpture by German artist Käthe Kollwitz, known for her powerful depictions of suffering and social injustice. Created sometime between 1938 and 1960, the piece portrays a grieving figure with a hand covering their face, capturing a moment of profound sorrow. Kollwitz's expressive style and masterful use of form create a visceral impact, emphasizing the raw emotion and universality of grief. The sculpture is currently housed at the Städel Museum, serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of human suffering and the ability of art to express the complexities of the human experience.

Comments

stadelmuseum about 1 year ago

⋮

This is the mute lament of an artist, perpetuated in bronze. The image speaks of pain, grief and incomprehension: the overlarge, powerful hands are placed protectively over the mouth and eye, as if wanting to no longer be compelled to see the terrible events, or to suppress a scream. With this relief created during the Nazi dictatorship, Kollwitz recalls her artist friend Ernst Barlach, who had died in 1938 and who was ostracised like her. As early as 1920 she had formulated her artistic task timelessly and with universal validity: "I shall give voice to the suffering of man, which never ceases."