Melankoli II 1898

Edvard Munch created "Melankoli II" using woodcut, a relief printing technique. The wood’s inherent grain is visible, adding texture to the image. The artist carves away sections of a wooden block, leaving the design raised, then inks the surface and presses it onto paper, in this case using a red pigment over the original black. Woodcut, unlike the slick perfection of industrial printing, retains the mark of the hand. Munch was part of a generation of artists who embraced printmaking for its accessibility and the unique visual language it offered. The process allowed for experimentation and the creation of multiple originals, democratizing art by making it more widely available, and less reliant on unique, elite art objects. The stark contrast between the carved and uncarved areas embodies the mood of the piece, enhancing the emotional impact of the composition. By emphasizing the materials and process, Munch elevates woodcut from a mere reproductive technique to a powerful means of artistic expression.