Mother and Child, from Bildermann - Käthe Kollwitz

A poignant lithograph by Käthe Kollwitz from 1916, depicting a mother and child accompanied by a verse on the hardships of poverty during wartime.

This lithograph by Käthe Kollwitz, published in the periodical Bildermann on 20 April 1916, captures a moment of maternal intimacy set against the backdrop of wartime deprivation. The work depicts a mother cradling her child, their forms rendered with soft, textured strokes that suggest the tactile quality of charcoal or lithographic crayon. The composition focuses on the physical closeness of the pair, with the mother's face partially obscured as she leans into her child. Below the image, the text reads: 'Ach, daß Gott erbarm! Wie ist die Mutter so arm! Sie hat ja kein Pfännlein, Kein Mehl und kein Schmalz, Zu kochen dem Kindlein, Kein Milch und kein Salz.' This German folk verse translates to a lament about a mother's poverty, noting her lack of basic provisions like flour, fat, milk, and salt to feed her child. The inclusion of this text transforms the image from a simple study of affection into a commentary on the civilian suffering caused by the First World War. Kollwitz was known for her focus on the struggles of the working class and the consequences of conflict. Her technique here relies on economy of line and shadow to convey emotional weight. By omitting unnecessary detail, she directs the viewer to the expressions and the protective posture of the mother. The print reflects the artist's ability to communicate human vulnerability through minimal visual information. This piece remains a clear example of her graphic work, where the combination of image and text serves to communicate the social realities of early twentieth-century Germany.