Portrait of an Elderly Lady 1983

Edvard Munch rendered this portrait of an elderly lady with stark black lines, probably using a woodcut technique. I imagine him carving into the wood, each gouge a deliberate choice between light and shadow. You know, looking at this image, I'm struck by the expression on her face. There’s a weariness there, but also a certain defiance. Did Munch know her? I wonder about the stories etched onto her face, mirroring the lines carved into the wood. The vertical lines in the background feel almost claustrophobic, pressing in on her. It makes me think about the weight of time, the accumulation of experience. Munch often explored themes of anxiety and isolation, and you can sense that here too. I feel like this portrait is in conversation with other artists like Käthe Kollwitz, who also used printmaking to convey powerful emotions and social commentary. They're all part of this ongoing dialogue, responding to each other across time.