Head of a Girl

Head of a Girl is a distinctive print created by Edvard Munch in 1907. This graphic work, executed in the demanding medium of drypoint, illustrates the intense psychological focus characteristic of the Norwegian artist during a key transitional phase of his career. The period around 1907 marked a crucial time when Munch sought stability and actively refined his expressive approach, moving fluidly between large-scale paintings and intricate graphic arts. The immediate, raw quality achievable in this piece demonstrates his sophisticated command over printmaking techniques during this critical year.

Drypoint, an intaglio method, involves scratching directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle, lifting a ridge of metal known as the burr. When inked, this burr holds a greater volume of pigment than the incised line, yielding the rich, soft, and slightly blurred lines visible in Head of a Girl. Munch exploits this characteristic quality, using sparse, decisive lines to render the sitter's profile and delicate features. The subject, a young woman, appears contemplative, her gaze directed downward or inward, reinforcing the themes of solitude and introspection frequently explored by the artist throughout his oeuvre.

This expressive intensity, achieved through minimal detailing, places the work firmly within the graphic tradition established by Munch. Unlike mass-produced reproductions, these fine prints were considered original works of art, highly prized for their technical complexity and immediacy. The composition reflects the powerful emotional atmosphere evident in much of the Norwegian master’s production from the early 20th century. While the image is available for study through certain public domain resources, the original piece is an important holding in the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it contributes significantly to the historical record of early Modernist printmaking.