The People 1922

Kathe Kollwitz made this black and white print, ‘The People’, with woodcut. There is something elemental about this image, a group of figures emerging from a dark, undefined ground, like a collective spirit. You can see the marks from the cutting tool, the deep gouges and strong hatching that create light and shadow – it's a very physical process and the marks suggest a great urgency. The face at the centre is calm, almost serene, while the other figures seem to be expressing anguish, maybe even rage. Look at the hands, how they reach out as if pleading. The contrast between the dark black and the stark white amplifies the emotional intensity, creating a sense of unease. I think of Goya, another artist who understood how to use graphic means to convey the depths of human suffering and resilience. Ultimately, this piece makes me think about the human condition, about empathy, and about the power of art to give voice to those who are often unheard.