Open today: 11.00 – 21.00

KOLLWITZ NEU SEHEN

Käthe Kollwitz, Frontal Self-Portrait, 1922/23, Woodcut, 151 x 156 mm, Kn 193 XIV b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/84032 (ed.)

The exhibition marking the reopening of the Museum

11 October 2025 – 15 March 2026

After almost three years of renovations, we are reopening our doors and inviting you to rediscover Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945).

Our reopening exhibition showcases the artist’s most important drawings, prints, and sculptures in a new arrangement, offering fresh insights into her creative process. The focus is on her female perspective on the challenges of her time.

Kollwitz’s message remains as relevant today as ever — her expressive power continues to resonate in the present.

To mark the eightieth anniversary of Kollwitz’s death and the fortieth anniversary of the museum, KOLLWITZ NEU SEHEN (KOLLWITZ SEEN ANEW) focuses on themes that preoccupied her throughout her life, including social inequality, political upheaval, gender roles and the life of women in difficult times. The exhibition deliberately highlights her perspective as a woman and an artist on topics such as motherhood, loss and grief, but also on solidarity and hope. Images addressing issues such as housing shortages, poor working conditions, and the consequences of war and violence underscore the enduring relevance of her work.

A New Dialogue Between Art and Viewer

The newly conceived hanging brings the works – including some twenty new acquisitions and ten new permanent loans – into often surprising dialogues. Thematic, technical and motivic references open up new perspectives and connections.

KOLLWITZ NEU SEHEN sheds light on the artist’s struggle to find the right technique to convey her message, enabling a deeper understanding of her creative process and oeuvre. 

A new multimedia guide provides supplementary information in the form of text, images, audio and video.

Self-portrait en face with right hand, c. 1893/94, chalk, 633 x 488 mm, NT 168. New permanent loan from a private collection.
Self-portrait en face with right hand, c. 1893/94, chalk, 633 x 488 mm, NT 168. New permanent loan from a private collection.

New Art Education Tools –
Playful, Creative, Informative

Under the motto ‘Experience Kollwitz’, we are expanding our educational offerings.

New interactive modules encourage visitors to explore her life, work and contemporary history on their own. Highlights include a virtual studio and media stations focusing on intaglio printing and poster art, as well as information on the international reception of Kollwitz’s work.

The centrepiece is the refurbished museum workshop with a historic lithographic press.

Käthe Kollwitz’s Virtual Studio – An interactive video and audio installation
Käthe Kollwitz’s Virtual Studio – An interactive video and audio installation

Be a Part of It!

Join us in celebrating the major exhibition marking the reopening – and enjoy guided tours, events and workshops designed for everyone who wants to know more!

Gallery

Käthe Schmidt (Kollwitz), Self-portrait with fellow student, 1889, Pen and brush in ink, on vellum, 295 x 270 mm, NT 13, 
Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70200/23004.
Käthe Schmidt (Kollwitz), Self-portrait with fellow student, 1889, Pen and brush in ink, on vellum, 295 x 270 mm, NT 13, 
Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70200/23004.
Käthe Schmidt (Kollwitz), Portrait of Else Rupp, c. 1890, oil on canvas, 615 × 495 mm, Kollwitz Museum Köln, on permanent loan from the Rautenberg Family Estate.
Käthe Schmidt (Kollwitz), Portrait of Else Rupp, c. 1890, oil on canvas, 615 × 495 mm, Kollwitz Museum Köln, on permanent loan from the Rautenberg Family Estate.
Käthe Kollwitz,
 Self-portrait en face with right hand, c. 1893/94, coloured chalk on olive-brown paper, 633 x 488 mm, NT 168. Kollwitz Museum Köln, on permanent loan from a private collection.
Käthe Kollwitz,
 Self-portrait en face with right hand, c. 1893/94, coloured chalk on olive-brown paper, 633 x 488 mm, NT 168. Kollwitz Museum Köln, on permanent loan from a private collection.
Käthe Kollwitz, 
Two men charging, technical trial for sheet 5 cycle »Peasants’ War«, 1902, line etching, drypoint, reservage and sandpaper, 
134 x 189 mm, Kn 69, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/22003.
Käthe Kollwitz, 
Two men charging, technical trial for sheet 5 cycle »Peasants’ War«, 1902, line etching, drypoint, reservage and sandpaper, 
134 x 189 mm, Kn 69, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/22003.
Käthe Kollwitz, Charge, sheet 5 cycle »Peasants’ War«, 1902/03, line etching, drypoint, aquatint, reservage and soft ground with imprint of two fabrics and Ziegler's transfer paper, 515 x 592 mm, Kn 70 VIII b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/01012.
Käthe Kollwitz, Charge, sheet 5 cycle »Peasants’ War«, 1902/03, line etching, drypoint, aquatint, reservage and soft ground with imprint of two fabrics and Ziegler's transfer paper, 515 x 592 mm, Kn 70 VIII b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/01012.
Käthe Kollwitz, Childbirth in a women’s prison, 1912, created to show at the Berlin exhibition  »Die Frau in Haus und Beruf«, black crayon, stumped, on drawing paper, 536 x 704 mm, NT 697, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70200/96015.
Käthe Kollwitz, Childbirth in a women’s prison, 1912, created to show at the Berlin exhibition  »Die Frau in Haus und Beruf«, black crayon, stumped, on drawing paper, 536 x 704 mm, NT 697, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70200/96015.
Käthe Kollwitz, Woman with Orange, 1901, combined etching (aquatint, reservage and drypoint) and brush lithograph with colouring stone in two colours, edited with charcoal, 131 x 112 mm, Kn 56 II 2, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. No. 70300/97001.
Käthe Kollwitz, Woman with Orange, 1901, combined etching (aquatint, reservage and drypoint) and brush lithograph with colouring stone in two colours, edited with charcoal, 131 x 112 mm, Kn 56 II 2, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. No. 70300/97001.
Käthe Kollwitz, Worker Woman (with Earring), 1910, line etching, sandpaper and soft ground with the imprint of ribbed laid paper and Ziegler’s transfer paper, 330 x 248 mm, Kn 112 V, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/98003.
Käthe Kollwitz, Worker Woman (with Earring), 1910, line etching, sandpaper and soft ground with the imprint of ribbed laid paper and Ziegler’s transfer paper, 330 x 248 mm, Kn 112 V, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/98003.
Käthe Kollwitz, Pregnant Woman, 1910, line etching, aquatint, drypoint and soft ground with the imprint of laid paper and Ziegler’s transfer paper, 377 x 235 mm, Kn 111 V, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/84022.
Käthe Kollwitz, Pregnant Woman, 1910, line etching, aquatint, drypoint and soft ground with the imprint of laid paper and Ziegler’s transfer paper, 377 x 235 mm, Kn 111 V, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/84022.
Käthe Kollwitz, Poster »Abolish the abortion laws!«, 1923, crayon lithograph (transfer of a drawing on transparent paper), 470 x 435 mm, Kn 198 II, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/05016.
Käthe Kollwitz, Poster »Abolish the abortion laws!«, 1923, crayon lithograph (transfer of a drawing on transparent paper), 470 x 435 mm, Kn 198 II, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/05016. 
Käthe Kollwitz,
Poster »Never Again War«, 1924, crayon and brush lithograph (transfer), 940 x 685 mm, Kn 205 III b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/88018.
Käthe Kollwitz,
Poster »Never Again War«, 1924, crayon and brush lithograph (transfer), 940 x 685 mm, Kn 205 III b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/88018. 
Käthe Kollwitz, Frontal Self-Portrait, 1922/23, Woodcut, 151 x 156 mm, Kn 193 XIV b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/84032.
Käthe Kollwitz, Frontal Self-Portrait, 1922/23, Woodcut, 151 x 156 mm, Kn 193 XIV b, Kollwitz Museum Köln, Inv. Nr. 70300/84032.