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Printing with the historic lithographic press

Experience the oldest flat printing process live in the museum.


Almost half of the 275 graphic works that Käthe Kollwitz created are lithographs. Particularly in the second half of her life, she used this technique to achieve a broad impact with large print runs, posters and flyers.

The Berlin master printer in stone and offset printing Dietmar Liebsch discovered the printing press from 1866 and two lithography stones by Käthe Kollwitz: “Bread” from 1924 and “Mother with Boy” from 1933, in the 1970s in the basement of the Berlin flat printing company Arnoldi. He was later able to acquire the printing press together with the two lithographic blocks, restore them and make them printable again.

The historical lithographic press, which the Friends of the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Berlin acquired in 2016, is one of the special items in the collection alongside the many prints, drawings and sculptures by Käthe Kollwitz. The press remains hidden from most museum visitors as it is located in the events and education room and can only be viewed as part of events and workshops.


Public show presentation

You will have the opportunity to experience the printing press in action and thus familiarise yourself with the artistic technique of lithography and be shown exactly how lithography is done during a demonstration.


  • Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 11.30
  • Duration: circa 60 minutes
  • 10,00 € Participation fee and 5,00 € reduced admission
  • Guidance: Diogo deCalle
 
Number of participants: maximal 15 people

Registration required via phone 030 – 882 52 10 or via e-mail bildung@kaethe-kollwitz.de 
Additional information
Dates
March 2026
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