Käthe Kollwitz, Woman with Dead Child (1903) lithograph, 1’ 4 5/8” x 1’ 7 1/8” 26
During Expressionism the artist’s perspectives of situations change and vary. In Kathe Kollwitz’s art piece, Woman with Dead Child,
we see an infant limberly lying in her mother’s lap. The mother appears
mortified and in utter sorrow while holding her child in her arms. The
feeling I have when viewing this particular piece of art is helplessness
and a sense of anxiety for the mother. This is one of the first times
we see an artist recognize their own ability to go beyond reform.
Kollwitz became one of the first European activist artist’s after she
created this piece of art.
I decided to place this piece in my
gallery because I feel that it contributes much emotion and contrast to
the other pieces that are normally seen in a gallery. Kollwitz’s art
piece evokes sensation and emotion that I have not experienced in any of
the other paintings I have displayed in my gallery. She uses her skills
of shading and textuality to make this piece come to life. The recent
death of a young boy inspired the country-music star, Taylor Swift, to
write the song “Ronan,” which inspired many and gave the mother of Ronan
tears of hope to keep pushing on.
According to an article written by Tara
Parker Pope from The New York Times, “Ms. Swift learned about Ronan
from a blog that his mother, Maya Thompson, began shortly after the
diagnosis to keep family and friends informed. Ms. Thompson called the
blog Rockstar Ronan,
but she did not mince words about his illness, and her heartbreak was
painfully evident in every update.” This song speaks volumes, and I am
sure if Kollwitz would have heard this beautiful song she would have
bittersweet tears in her eyes. Kollwitz’s son dies in WWI and this
situation she depicts in the painting is only a mere representation of
what truly happened. During this time period infant mortality was a
common occurrence and theme throughout art.
Another experience was noted in a poem after the death of the Vince’s son while gone to war…
“In July 31, 1997 a date that is seared in my memory, the date our Son. Philip died in an auto accident. It’s been 13 years but the pain still returns when you least expect it. Phil was a month away from his 18th birthday and had just graduated high school, with honors. We know we will see him again. Praise God.” – Charles Vince
A Life Lost by Charles Vince
Our Son isn’t home, where could he be.
It’s after midnight, and the doorbell rings.
Who could be calling, he has a key.
A man in uniform, we see him through the glass.
“Do you have a son named Philip” he asks.
It’s after midnight, and the doorbell rings.
Who could be calling, he has a key.
A man in uniform, we see him through the glass.
“Do you have a son named Philip” he asks.
With those few words our lives forever change.
We will never be the family we were, ever again.
We will never be the family we were, ever again.
Almost eighteen, in the prime of his life.
A careless driver has ended what should have been,
a life full of promise, of hopes and of dreams.
A careless driver has ended what should have been,
a life full of promise, of hopes and of dreams.
Our lives must go on, what else can we do?
We know our faith in God will see us through.
He spoke to my heart, my soul and my mind.
“My precious child, He has been with me,
since the moment he died”.
We know our faith in God will see us through.
He spoke to my heart, my soul and my mind.
“My precious child, He has been with me,
since the moment he died”.
I hope you enjoyed reading this entry exhibiting
Kollwitz’s art, and if you have any comments or other observations
please feel free! I would love to hear some feedback!
No comments:
Post a Comment