Evening. Melancholy I 1896

Curator: Here we have Edvard Munch's woodcut print, "Evening. Melancholy I," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The thick, almost brutal lines give such a feeling of heaviness, wouldn’t you say? There’s a palpable sense of oppression. Curator: Indeed. Munch was deeply invested in portraying the human condition, frequently depicting anxiety and isolation, themes very much in vogue, or rather, very much reflective of the socio-political climate in the late 19th century. Editor: It's fascinating how the woodcut medium itself contributes to that feeling. The labor involved, the directness of the cut, it's all so raw and unforgiving. He highlights the process itself! Curator: And consider how the printmaking medium allowed for the wider distribution of these feelings, democratizing access to his, and arguably, collective angst. Editor: It makes one think about art’s accessibility, and how process impacts reception. Curator: Precisely. The historical weight of Munch’s era echoes even in the physicality of the artwork. Editor: A powerful piece. I am intrigued by this intersection between materials and emotion.