Text, from Meier-Graefe portfolio

Text, from Meier-Graefe portfolio by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944, is classified as a rare and important artist’s book produced in 1895. Dating from the height of the Symbolist movement, this work is technically described as a book comprising fourteen sheets of text. The sheets are printed on heavy cream wove paper and are irregularly sized, reflecting a deliberate departure from standardized mass-produced books. The binding itself is exceptionally simple, held together by a plain cord, underscoring the intimate, limited-edition quality of this particular graphic work.

While Edvard Munch is internationally recognized for his intense psychological paintings and influential prints, this book demonstrates his deep engagement with the dissemination of textual and artistic material through carefully crafted publications. The association with Meier-Graefe, a prominent art critic and dealer of the time, suggests the pivotal role this volume played in promoting the Norwegian master's experimental output throughout Europe during the late nineteenth century.

Created during a crucial period of artistic ferment in Norway and across the continent, this book blurs the lines between literary publication and fine art object. Although often overlooked in favor of Munch’s better-known paintings, works like this provide essential context regarding the artist's holistic creative process, which frequently incorporated written material alongside imagery. Collectors often seek public domain reproductions and prints of Munch’s broader graphic catalog, but artifacts such as this book reveal the complexity of his publishing activities. This historically significant piece is preserved within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.