COLOGNE.- After nearly three years of extensive renovation, the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln reopens its doors today, October 11, 2025, marking both the 80th anniversary of the artist's death and the museum's 40th birthday. The occasion signals a vibrant new era for the institution, which has not only received a technical upgrade but also a clear new identity, rebranding its location as the “Kollwitz Forum.”

The inaugural exhibition, “Seeing Kollwitz Anew,” promises to challenge familiar views of the German Expressionist. Featuring drawings, prints, and sculptures from the museum's renowned collection, the show has been completely rehung to spark surprising dialogues between the works. It dives deep into themes that remain profoundly relevant: social injustice, political turmoil, and the lives of women enduring hardship.

Curators have made a conscious effort to spotlight Kollwitz's female perspective, showcasing her powerful depictions of motherhood, loss, grief, and resilience. As the museum's patron, the Kreissparkasse Köln, continues its push for sustainability, visitors will experience these pieces in a space equipped with a modern, energy-efficient climate control and new LED lighting, demonstrating that preserving history can go hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility.

What’s truly exciting for visitors is the unveiling of new additions to the collection. Among the highlights are works rarely, if ever, seen by the public, including a colored pastel self-portrait from 1893/94 and a 1890 portrait that stands as one of only four known oil paintings by the artist. These acquisitions enrich our understanding of Kollwitz's early development and technical range.

Beyond the gallery walls, the museum's educational offerings have been revolutionized under the banner “Experience Kollwitz.” New interactive tools, including a Virtual Studio and a revamped Museum Workshop featuring a historic lithographic press, invite visitors of all ages to engage directly with the artist’s process. This hands-on approach aims to foster a deeper appreciation for Kollwitz's struggle to find the perfect technique to convey her urgent social messages.

By rededicating itself as the “Kollwitz Forum,” the museum solidifies its commitment to keeping the artist's powerful voice and humanistic work at the forefront of contemporary cultural conversation. “Seeing Kollwitz Anew” is not just a reopening; it’s an invitation to rediscover a master whose work speaks just as urgently to today's world as it did to her own.