Angst after 1896

Edvard Munch made this woodcut print, called “Angst”, using knives and gouges to carve a design into a block of wood. The remaining raised surface was inked and then printed onto paper. Woodcut is a relief printing technique, one of the oldest forms of printmaking. Unlike painting, which allows for the direct application of color, printmaking involves a more mediated, labor-intensive process. The artist must first conceptualize the image, then painstakingly carve it into the wood. In “Angst,” the stark contrast between black and white amplifies the emotional intensity of the scene, filled with distorted faces. The grainy texture of the wood adds a raw, visceral quality to the print. Munch wasn’t just interested in expressing emotion; he was deeply engaged with the possibilities and limitations of the woodcut medium. He made prints in editions, which ties his practice to the wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Understanding these choices invites us to see beyond the subject matter and appreciate the technical skill, and conceptual depth of Munch’s work.