“Call of Death,” created by Kathe Kollwitz in 1934, is an allegorical painting representative of the Expressionism art movement. The artwork exemplifies the artist’s profound ability to evoke strong emotions through stark and evocative imagery.
In the artwork, a somber mood permeates as it depicts a haunting figure, adorned with deeply shadowed eyes and a weary expression, leaning toward an outstretched skeletal hand. The use of dark, bold lines and dismal tones enhances the sense of despair and mortality. The exaggerated features and the stark contrast between light and dark serve to amplify the emotional intensity and symbolic gravitas of the scene, staying true to the Expressionist style. The allegorical nature of the painting invites viewers to contemplate themes of death and the human condition.