Kristiania Bohemians I

Kristiania Bohemians I is an influential print created by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944 in 1895. Executed using the demanding techniques of etching and drypoint on cream wove paper, this work captures the tense atmosphere of fin-de-siècle intellectual life in Norway. The composition showcases Munch’s mastery of intaglio processes, utilizing etching to establish sharp structural lines while employing drypoint to create a distinct, velvety burr. This technique adds an emotive darkness, emphasizing the psychological intensity that is central to the artist's oeuvre.

Munch was deeply immersed in the radical intellectual and artistic circles of the city then known as Kristiania (now Oslo). The print's subject matter directly addresses the Bohemian milieu, a group of writers and artists who frequently challenged conventional societal norms. Munch focused heavily on themes of alienation, love, and anxiety within this group, making the medium of printmaking a vital tool for disseminating his emotionally charged images widely. This early use of graphic work cemented Munch's reputation as a critical voice documenting the modern urban condition and foreshadowed his importance in the development of Expressionism.

This powerful example of late 19th-century graphic art is classified as a print and is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As many of Munch's key works transition into the public domain, prints such as Kristiania Bohemians I remain essential documents for scholars seeking to understand the complex transition from Symbolism to Expressionism in Northern European art.