A Mother's Joy

A Mother’s Joy, executed by Edvard Munch (Norwegian, 1863-1944) in 1902, is a powerful example of the artist's deep engagement with the print medium. This drypoint on buff wove paper, classified as a print, was produced in collaboration with the renowned German printer Otto Felsing. Though Munch is frequently celebrated for his intensely emotional paintings, his prolific graphic output became central to disseminating his proto-Expressionist vision across Europe during the pivotal turn of the century.

The technique of drypoint, characterized by its richly burred lines achieved by scratching directly into the copper plate, perfectly suited Munch's expressive, psychological style. The resulting image often features the delicate, velvety quality evident in this particular impression. During this period, Munch focused heavily on synthesizing the anxieties and intimate complexities of human relationships, often drawing deeply from his Norwegian cultural background and the nascent European Modernist movements.

This piece explores the profound yet subtle intimacy suggested by its title, capturing a moment of connection typical of the artist's Expressionist sensibility. The clarity of the lines and the careful tonal depth demonstrate the technical skill shared between Munch and Felsing. This exceptional example of early 20th-century graphic art resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a testament to the master printmaker’s legacy. Like many of Munch’s celebrated prints from this era, the work often enters the discussion regarding high-resolution reproductions available through public domain art initiatives.