The Mothers

Käthe Kollwitz's The Mothers vividly captures the emotional depth and stark reality of life for working-class women, aligning with her focus on genre painting that emphasizes honest portrayals of everyday struggles. Originally influenced by realism, her style evolved towards Expressionism, conveying raw emotion and social critique. Kollwitz's work, including this powerful piece, reflects her commitment to addressing themes of poverty, hunger, and war, making her one of the most prominent artists of her time. She broke barriers by becoming the first woman elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts and earning honorary professor status.