The artwork “Help Russia” is a lithograph created by the artist Kathe Kollwitz in 1921. It measures 50 by 65 centimeters and falls under the genre of sketch and study. This piece is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork is a powerful and evocative representation, executed in stark black and white lithography. It depicts a figure with a gaunt, suffering face that seems to convey deep anguish and despair. Surrounding this central figure are multiple hands, reaching out and seemingly pressing onto the figure, enhancing the sense of tension and distress. Kollwitz’s characteristic expressive lines and the intense emotional content of her work are evident in this piece, reflecting the socio-political tumult and human suffering of the period. The lithograph masterfully uses contrast and composition to draw the viewer’s eye to the central figure, making a poignant commentary on human suffering and the call for help.
