The Tiger

The Tiger is a powerful lithograph created by Edvard Munch (Norwegian, 1863-1944) between 1908 and 1909. This stark monochromatic print on paper exemplifies Munch’s continued dedication to graphic arts during a pivotal phase of his career, immediately following a period of personal crisis and hospitalization. Classification as a print underscores the artist's recognition of lithography as a tool capable of reaching a wider audience while retaining emotional intensity. The technique requires drawing directly onto a stone or plate, allowing Munch to exploit the medium’s potential for dramatic contrasts between deep shadow and white highlights.

Munch, a foundational figure in Expressionism, frequently utilized the print medium to articulate themes of anxiety, isolation, and primal force. Although less overtly narrative than his earlier psychological series, this piece reflects the prevailing tension evident in much of the art coming out of Norway and northern Europe at the turn of the century. The isolation of the titular creature allows the artist to focus on raw, almost explosive energy captured through heavy, deliberate line work characteristic of his late graphic style.

This significant work of modern prints, executed in the years before the First World War, demonstrates Munch’s technical mastery and psychological insight. It is a key example of the artist maintaining his creative output despite personal turmoil. This particular impression of the lithograph is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the museum's robust holdings of 20th-century Norwegian and European graphic art.