Art postcard No. 07: Empathy is a respectful understanding ...

Postcard No. 07 in the series features a quote by Marshall Rosenberg: “Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing.” A simple idea that says a great deal about the ethos of Non-Violent Communication, and that is precisely what the image on the card is intended to convey.

It was painted by Christiane Lesch, born in 1940. She studied graphic design in the late 1950s, is a mother of three and is now a renowned children’s book illustrator. Alongside commissioned work, she devotes herself to painting for her own pleasure, which includes colour etchings and watercolours.

The series arose from a friendship with NVC trainer Dr Gitta Zimmermann. Gitta gave her a list of quotes relating to the principles of Non-Violent Communication (NVC), and Christiane was free to choose the motifs that moved her the most. It was important to both of them that the images were suitable for children and that their vibrant colours would captivate viewers of all ages.

This card is one of a total of ten art postcards from Christiane Lesch’s studio. You can buy them individually or as a discounted bundle; all designs are also available as a pack of ten in business-card format – perfect as a gift or as inspiration for workshops and practice sessions.