Street Character 1992

Edvard Munch made this etching, Street Character, and it’s all about the flow and the scratch. The way he uses the etching needle is so alive. You can almost hear the scratching, and imagine the resistance of the metal plate. I like how the image is composed of very few lines, just enough to suggest the character and the hustle of the street. Munch really knew how to wring the most out of every mark. The texture of the etching gives it a tactile quality. You can almost feel the grit of the street, and see the movement of the crowd. Look closely at the skirt, the lines almost vibrate with a sense of contained energy. Munch and Kirchner both have that scratchy kind of style, born of a similar kind of existential angst. Of course, it is always open to interpretation. That's what makes it interesting.