Galloping Horse

Galloping Horse, created by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944 in 1915, is a compelling example of the artist's dedicated printmaking practice during his mature Expressionist period. Executed as an etching on paper, the work showcases the raw, graphic potential of the intaglio technique. The etching process allowed Munch to achieve a vigorous, spontaneous line quality, perfectly suited to capturing the sheer, uncontrolled dynamism of the animal subject.

Although Munch is primarily associated with the intense psychological themes explored in his Symbolist masterpieces, works from the mid-1910s often reflect a shift toward a more immediate engagement with the world. Following his return to Norway and subsequent treatment, the artist began exploring landscapes, farm life, and powerful physical movement, subjects that resonated deeply with the culture and environment of his home country. In this piece, the figure of the horse at a full run is rendered through swift, agitated strokes, characteristic of the Expressionist impulse to prioritize feeling and motion over strict realism.

The composition utilizes strong contrasts and dramatic shading inherent to the etching medium to emphasize the animal’s speed and energy, implying the movement through the frenetic lines surrounding the form. This particular impression of Galloping Horse is held within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a crucial document of Munch’s later graphic output. As a master of print media, Munch understood how to maximize the distribution of his images. Consequently, prints and high-resolution images of many of his most important works, including this powerful 1915 composition, are widely available and often accessible through public domain collections for international study.