Interior with a Child. Lothar Linde

Interior with a Child. Lothar Linde by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944, executed in 1902, is a sensitive example of the artist's dedication to graphic arts during the high point of Symbolism. Classified as a print, this piece utilizes the demanding etching technique on cream wove paper, showcasing Munch’s distinctive ability to translate emotionally charged scenes into black and white media.

While Munch is internationally famous for his intense depictions of anxiety and existential dread, this work provides a more intimate glimpse into the dynamics of domestic life in Norway at the turn of the century. The interior scene, featuring the solitary presence of a child, maintains the characteristic psychological tension found throughout the artist’s oeuvre. Unlike the dramatic scale of his oil paintings, the etching relies on precise, taut line work and varying degrees of cross-hatching to define shadow and volume, underscoring the subtle spatial and emotional isolation of the setting.

The period around 1900 saw Munch frequently revisiting themes of familial relationships, illness, and isolated figures. The medium of prints became increasingly important to the artist, offering an effective and affordable way to distribute his complex modern subjects to a wider audience. The ability to produce multiples through etching and lithography was crucial to his financial and critical success. This finely preserved impression of Interior with a Child. Lothar Linde provides valuable insight into the development of Modernist printmaking within Norwegian culture and resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a landmark work created by the influential 1863-1944, images of this piece are frequently studied and, being subject to evolving intellectual property laws, often circulate in the public domain for non-commercial educational use.