Head of a Woman (Frauenkopf) 1905

Edvard Munch made this print, Head of a Woman, by etching an image into a metal plate, probably copper, and using acid to bite the lines. Then he would have inked the plate, wiped it clean, and run it through a press with a sheet of paper. The quality of the printed line varies depending on the pressure applied and the amount of ink left on the plate, and also the strength of the acid. Here, we see areas where the line is dark and bold, but in other places, it’s almost faded away. This variation gives the image a feeling of movement and depth. The artist is in direct contact with his materials to an extent we don't often see in painting. This printmaking process opens the possibility of multiples, making the image more widely available than a unique painting. Consider how the possibility of mass production democratizes the image, yet requires the specialist skills of a trained printmaker. It’s another reminder that art never just appears; it is always made.