‘There is more than one Zille: one who produced the typical illustrations for satirical magazines, and another besides. The other drew entirely without any ulterior motive or hidden agenda. Zille was artistically great enough to be able to infuse his drawings with a particular intention – that is, a bias – with impunity. The words he wrote to accompany his drawings are incisive, biting and vivid. It is probably to this strange unity of image and word that he owes his immense popularity above all else. But then there is a third Zille, and this is the one I like best. He is neither a cartoonist for humour magazines nor a satirist. He is an artist through and through. A few lines, a few strokes, a little colour now and then – and they are masterpieces.’
Käthe Kollwitz
