Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Kiss IV

Edvard Munch; Printer: M. W. Lassally, Berlin

Date

1902 (printed c. 1913)

Medium

Woodcut in gray and black ink

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Kiss is a subject that Munch returned to several times from 1895 to 1902. He first explored the motif in a painting and an etching before embarking on this woodcut version, which stresses a more simplified, abstract composition. In this print, Munch cut the figures out of one block of wood, roughly gouging away the faces and hands. Over this he printed a piece of wood with a strong vertical grain in a light shade of grey, making it seem as if the kiss is as elemental as nature itself. The result is an image with a profound resonance, a timeless symbol of intimacy and unity. Norway, Europe

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.