Dr. Max Linde

"Dr. Max Linde" is a profound drypoint print created in 1902 by the Norwegian master, Edvard Munch. This portrait captures the artist’s friend, patron, and physician, Dr. Max Linde, a key figure in the cultural life of Lübeck and a critical early supporter of Munch’s work during the turn of the century. The work was printed by the accomplished German technician Otto Felsing, highlighting the cross-cultural collaborations essential to Munch’s growing reputation on the Continent.

Munch was deeply committed to printmaking, recognizing that the ability to produce multiple impressions enhanced the dissemination and study of his intense, psychological imagery beyond Norway. The medium selected, drypoint on buff wove paper, involves scratching the image directly into the copper plate, creating characteristic burrs that hold the ink and lend a rich, velvety shadow quality to the lines. This technique perfectly suited Munch's expressive style, allowing him to quickly render the thoughtful introspection visible in Linde’s expression.

Dr. Linde’s connection to the artist was profound; he was a noted collector who famously commissioned the installation of Munch's seminal Frieze of Life paintings within his home. This print therefore serves as a vital document of a significant artistic patronage relationship. The continued availability and study of these important early 20th-century prints, often accessible today through public domain initiatives, cement Munch’s status as a foundational figure of modernism. This specific impression is proudly preserved within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.