New Cedar Rapids Museum of Art exhibit explores working class, women, grief

Eighty years after her death, the work of German printmaker Käthe Kollwitz continues to strike an emotional chord in the eyes of modern viewers.

“Powerful: The Art of Käthe Kollwitz” is open now and runs through Jan. 4, 2026, at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Kollwitz’s expressionist works often dealt with themes of the working class, women, grief and violence. Her prints highlighted themes of social justice, which still feel relevant today.

Kollwitz was born in the Prussian city of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia) but was based in Berlin, Germany, from the 1890s through the early 1940s. She trained briefly as a painter but turned to printmaking as the medium for her social commentary, which allowed for greater reach. Married to a doctor, patients of Kollwitz’s husband provided inspiration for the artist.

Historical and contemporary conflicts also impacted her work. As a witness to both world wars, losing a son in the first and a grandson in the second, her own devastation is reflected in the stark realities she conveyed in her depictions of war and grief.

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Navigating her career in an art world dominated by men and employing a naturalistic style in an era that birthed abstraction, Kollwitz nevertheless asserted the value of her perspective.

Drawing from the collections of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the Stanley Museum of Art, the University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art, and a private collection, this exhibition highlights many of the themes prevalent in Kollwitz’s work. Through the works on display, Kollwitz continues to impact the viewer, demonstrating the power of her work.

“Though Käthe Kollwitz died 80 years ago, her work remains entirely relevant. Beyond the skill and narrative clarity of her works, they also possess a deep humanity that continues to resonate in the world and with the modern viewer. This exhibition highlights many of the major themes of her work, providing an overview of this significant artist,” said Julia Jessen, curator of collections and exhibitions.