Dr. Linde's Four Sons 1902

Edvard Munch etched this portrait of Dr. Linde's four sons sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It has this casual, intimate quality, like it was jotted down in a sketchbook – a moment captured from real life. I’m wondering what it must have been like to stand before these kids, etching tool in hand. It's a pretty fast medium. Did he feel pressure to get it right? Were the kids fidgeting? Munch is known for these raw, emotional paintings, and you see that sensitivity even in his more understated prints. Look at the lines around the faces – some are soft, tentative, others are bold and sure. Notice the sailor outfits and how they repeat between the first three children. This is a very specific, and somehow very universal, image of childhood. It reminds us that art doesn't always have to shout; sometimes, it whispers.