Europe: Famous women - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1996 - 100 Pfennig

Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907) and Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945) are among the most important German artists of the 20th century. Both left behind an extensive artistic oeuvre, with the balance scale at Paula Modersohn-Becker leaning heavily towards painting, and Käthe Kollwitz becoming known above all for her graphics and sculptures. Both artists had to fight for their attention and recognition as creative women at the turn of the century. At a time when the art world was still largely dominated by men, both artists progressed slowly but persistently on their creative path with varying degrees of success. For both artists, the most important topic was always the human being and his reality in life: with Paula Modersohn-Becker rather from a private, almost shy point of view, but not less precise in observation and formal design; with Käthe Kollwitz combined with a special sense for the needs and fears of ordinary people. It created a social and political art, which the public has been looking for, to shake up and denounce grievances. The artistic representation of man also included in both a deep self-reflection. Paula Modersohn-Becker appears in her painting from 1906 almost in frontal view. Käthe Kollwitz presents himself in a lithograph from 1919 in a profile view. (Text: Peter Daners M.A., Bonn)