Attraction I (Tiltrekning I)

Attraction I (Tiltrekning I) by Edvard Munch is a seminal lithograph created in 1896, a pivotal year in the artist's intensive exploration of graphic media. As a master of the printing technique, Munch utilized the stark black and white contrasts inherent to the lithographic process to amplify emotional and psychological tension. The creation of numerous prints during this period allowed the Norwegian artist to widely disseminate his key symbolic themes and ensured the accessibility of his work, many examples of which are now widely available, sometimes even entering the public domain.

Munch, a leading figure in Symbolism and a precursor to Expressionism, consistently explored human experience through the lenses of love, anxiety, and the fragile nature of relationships. This specific image captures a highly symbolic moment of intense, possibly fraught, connection. The composition typically features a male figure and a female figure whose extraordinarily long, flowing hair appears almost tidal, visually binding them together or signaling an inescapable emotional pull. This graphic device is characteristic of the expressive visual language Munch developed throughout the 1890s.

The bold, dark lines and simplified forms of the lithograph emphasize the internal, psychological state of the subjects rather than realistic detail. This aesthetic aligns with the Symbolist movement dominant in Europe during 1896, placing emotional truth above objective representation. As part of a series often associated with the artist’s broader Frieze of Life project, Attraction I (Tiltrekning I) is recognized as one of Munch’s most significant achievements in printmaking. The enduring power of this piece lies in its immediate emotional resonance and its sophisticated use of graphic language. This highly important example of Norwegian Symbolism is currently held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), affirming its status as a key modernist print.