Question

Both Kollwitz's "Self-portrait" and Lhermitte's "An Elderly Peasant Woman" are portraits of elderly women, were created using charcoal, and were completed within fifty years of each other. Yet they are visually very different. In what ways do these works differ from each other? How does this affect how the works are viewed?

Answer 1

Kollwitz's self-portrait and Lhermitte's painting differ in terms of style, medium, and subject matter. Kollwitz's self-portrait is more expressive and emotional, while Lhermitte's painting is realistic. These differences affect how the works are viewed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kathe Kollwitz's "Self-portrait" and Lhermitte's "An Elderly Peasant Woman" are visually different in several ways. Firstly, Kollwitz's self-portrait is depicted using charcoal on brown laid Ingres paper, while Lhermitte's painting is created with charcoal on a different medium. Secondly, Kollwitz's self-portrait captures a sense of expression and emotion through quick, gestural lines, while Lhermitte's painting focuses more on realistic details. Lastly, Kollwitz's self-portrait is a self-portrait, while Lhermitte's painting is a portrait of an elderly peasant woman. The differences in style, medium, and subject matter affect how the works are viewed, with Kollwitz's self-portrait conveying a more personal and emotional tone, and Lhermitte's painting offering a realistic portrayal of an elderly peasant woman.