The Old Fisherman 1984

Edvard Munch’s ‘The Old Fisherman’ is a woodcut, a bold statement in black and white. You can almost feel the gouge of the tool as it carves out the old man's face, it’s all about the stark contrast. The way the white lines pull downwards from the brim of his hat, creating a waterfall effect, shows how the printmaking process can be just as expressive as any brushstroke. Look at the fisherman’s eyes, they are pools of negative space, drawing you in, while the heavy lines of his beard and weathered skin speak of a life lived at sea. The rough texture of the wood comes through, reminding us of the physical act of making art. This raw, visceral quality is something I really connect with in my own work. It reminds me a little of Kirchner, but with a Norwegian twist. Munch isn’t trying to pretty things up; he’s digging deep into the human condition, making art that stays with you.