Killed in Action 1921

Kathe Kollwitz made Killed in Action with charcoal. The stark, raw qualities of charcoal are crucial to the image’s emotional impact. Kollwitz uses it to create deep blacks and blurred lines, evoking a sense of grief and despair. The soft, easily smudged nature of charcoal is ideal for capturing the figures' anguished expressions and the overall atmosphere of mourning. This artwork speaks to a different kind of labor, the labor of loss, echoing Kollwitz’s own experiences of war and bereavement. The drawing emphasizes the vulnerability and shared suffering of women and children during wartime. Kollwitz elevates the themes of motherhood and grief to the forefront, highlighting the profound social and human costs of conflict. By understanding the physical processes of making, we can better appreciate the image’s emotional weight and its powerful statement about the impact of war on ordinary lives. Kollwitz’s masterful use of charcoal transforms a simple medium into a profound expression of human suffering.