The artwork “Whetting the Scythe” is a notable print on paper, created through the medium of etching by the artist Käthe Kollwitz in 1905. The piece is an exemplar of Expressionism, demonstrating a tendency towards a symbolic representation of themes. It forms part of the “Peasant War Cycle,” illustrating the struggles and emotions of peasants. The artwork is housed at the Whitworth Art Gallery, which is part of the University of Manchester, located in Manchester, UK.
In the artwork, a figure is depicted in an intimate and focused moment, honing the blade of a scythe. The composition emphasizes the intense concentration and physical effort involved in the act of sharpening. The figure’s face is bowed down towards the work, obscured from direct view, evoking a sense of anonymity and universality. The individual appears to be part of a larger narrative of labor and possibly struggle, in line with the overarching themes represented in the Peasant War Cycle. The use of chiaroscuro, or the contrast between light and dark, helps to accentuate the form and musculature of the figure, lending a raw physicality to the scene. The etching technique used by Kollwitz allows for rich textures and deep tonal variations, which adds a dramatic quality to the scene and underscores the emotional and symbolic weight of the work.
