The Art Element – Line, The Artist, Kathe Kollwitz

Line is an element in art. Lines can be curved or straight. Cross contour lines add volume to an object. Directional lines, add movement and direction. A thick changing to thin line achieves movement through space. A long straight line can create a barrier for the eye so it is important to break the line. Curved lines are interesting as are radial lines. Straight lines are best if they change in to a curved line. Horizontal lines are the least interesting. Lines above a shape create a weight on the shape, pushing it down. Lines below the shape lift the shape up. An artist uses lines to achieve their emotional and artistic objectives. Kathe Kollwitz was a German artist born in the 1800s. She lived through both world wars. Kollwitz was a graphic artist and her work makes us feel her figures’ poverty, despair and grief. Kollwitz’ lithograph, “Municipal Shelter”, was done in 1926 and is in the Art Gallery of Ontario. A woman sits in a resting pose. Her hand covers 2 children. The cross contour lines of the child on the left add volume and direction. The thick lines over the back of the woman and child add to the weight and despair of the figures. The main structure of the image is triangular; the woman’s head is at the top of the triangle giving the expressive face and head more visual attention. View Kollwitz’ art and the emotions in her outstanding works.

[Click on title of this post to view art by Kathe Kollwitz.]

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