Summernight. The Voice

Summernight. The Voice by Edvard Munch (Norwegian, 1863-1944) is a seminal work created in 1894, capturing the artist's profound exploration of psychological tension and the natural world. This iconic print was executed using the demanding combined techniques of open bite etching and drypoint in black ink, applied to heavyweight ivory wove plate paper. While the precise printing house is recorded only as possibly Sabo, Angerer, or Felsing, the resulting impression reflects the high standards of European graphic art during the late 19th century.

Munch, a pivotal figure in Expressionism and Symbolism, frequently employed motifs drawn from the landscape of Norway to externalize inner emotional and spiritual states. This particular composition captures a moment of nocturnal stillness disrupted by a sudden, unseen presence, represented by the "voice" of the title. The intense subject matter suggests themes of spiritual calling, isolation, and mental disruption, characteristic of Munch’s graphic work. The artist uses the stark contrast between deep shadow and the pale figure to amplify the drama inherent in the scene.

As a central piece within the artist's vast output of prints, this image demonstrates Munch’s mastery of the drypoint technique, allowing him to achieve both delicate, incisive lines and areas of rich tonal variation. The availability of multiple prints allowed Munch’s thematic cycle to reach a wider audience than his paintings. Today, this impression of Summernight. The Voice resides in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a key example of Norwegian Symbolist art, and contributing to the body of historic art often made available through public domain resources for scholarly research.