Consolation

Consolation is a powerful 1894 print executed by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944 Printed by Otto Felsing German, born 1854. This piece utilizes the demanding intaglio methods of drypoint and open bite, rendered in rich black ink on cream wove paper. The drypoint technique, characterized by the rough burr left by the needle, creates velvety, dark lines that imbue the scene with a palpable sense of emotional friction and anxiety.

The collaborative nature of the work highlights the importance of master craftsmen in disseminating Munch's radical graphic ideas; Felsing, a renowned German printer, meticulously translated the delicate lines and emotional textures of the design onto the plate. As one of Munch’s early and influential prints, the subject matter reflects his profound engagement with the psychological suffering and tumultuous relationship dynamics central to Symbolist and Expressionist aesthetics in Norway. Munch often revisited these intensely personal themes across his graphic output.

These early graphic works were crucial for the artist, allowing him to explore his subjects repeatedly and distribute them widely. Consolation is classified culturally as Norwegian, reinforcing its origin within the vibrant Scandinavian modern art movement of the late 19th century. This particular impression is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars and the public an intimate look at the technical innovation of Munch's graphic period.