Head of a Girl (Madchenkopf) 1902

Edvard Munch etched the Head of a Girl, or Madchenkopf, with what looks like quick, nervous lines. This piece feels like a study in how much you can say with so little; the method he uses in the work is very visible and very raw. Look at the way he renders the hair, a dense thicket of cross-hatched lines, each one distinct, yet blending into a form that is almost chaotic. Then, notice how the lines soften and thin as they move down to her shoulders. The contrast is striking. This approach reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, especially her prints exploring similar themes of emotion and human connection through expressive lines. Ultimately, this work captures a fleeting moment and invites us to interpret and reflect on the universal experience of seeing and being seen.