The Kiss IV
Artists:
- Edvard Munch
- M. W. LassallyFounder, printer i.a. in duplication - assumed uncertain
- Creation date: Platen utført 1902; trykket etter 1906
About
The kissing couple is monumentally placed at the centre of the picture. The figures are considerably simplified and almost merge with one another. The motif expresses harmony, empathy and warmth.
The woodcut has been printed in black and a delicate grey-green tone from two blocks – a figure block that has been worked with gouges and a fretsaw, and a seemingly unworked background block with a vertical grain pattern. Munch was very interested in the visual effect of woodgrain and the textures it produced. In addition to being decorative elements, woodgrain and branch knots added life and movement to the picture.
There are four variations of the woodcut on this theme. The Kiss I and II were produced in 1897 and were among Munch’s earliest woodcuts. The Kiss III was created in 1898 and The Kiss IV in 1902. In each case the artist varies the nuances of the background by using different blocks that have been somewhat modified.
Munch painted this motif several times between 1892 and 1897. The version in the National Museum dates from 1892. The subject was first executed in print in an etching from 1895. Munch frequently returned to his previous motifs in order to explore them in other media. The characteristics of the various media enabled him to seek new expressive possibilities.
We do not know when the National Gallery acquired The Kiss IV.
- Creation date:
- Platen utført 1902; trykket etter 1906
- Other titles:
- Der Kuss IV (GER)
Kyss IV (NOR)
Kys (NOR) - Object type:
- Materials and techniques:
- Tontresnitt på papir
- Material:
- Paper
- Keywords:
- Visual art
- Classification:
- 532 - Bildende kunst
- Inventory no.:
- NG.K&H.A.19517
- Cataloguing level:
- Single object
- Inscriptions:
- Primary, Inscription: Kys [blyant] // Edv Munch [blyant]
Secondary, Stamp: [Verso:] NASJONALGALLERIET // [Sirkulært stempel fra Nasjonalgalleriet; utydelig] - Acquisition:
- Acquisition details unknown
- Owner and collection:
- Nasjonalmuseet for kunst, arkitektur og design, The Fine Art Collections
- Photo:
- Ivarsøy, Dag Andre
- Hansen, Vibeke Waallann, et al. Edvard Munch i Nasjonalmuseet: en samlet oversikt. Redigert av Ustvedt, Øystein, et al. Oslo: Nasjonalmuseet, 2022. kat.nr. 160.
- Fredheim, Arnt Normann, et al. 1905-1935 Ekspresjon!: Edvard Munch - tysk og norsk kunst i tre tiår. Oslo: Munchmuseet, 2005. kat.nr. 180.
- Woll, Gerd. Edvard Munch: the complete graphic works. New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publ., 2001. kat.nr. 204.
- Helliesen, Sidsel. Norsk grafikk gjennom 100 år. Oslo: Aschehoug, 2000. 51.
- Jones, Liv Inger. Norsk grafikk til 1970. Kobberstikk- og håndtegningsamlingens kataloger. Oslo: Nasjonalgalleriet, 1972. kat.nr. 65.
- Schiefler, Gustav. Verzeichnis des graphischen Werks Edvard Munchs bis 1906. Berlin: Bruno Cassirer, 1907. kat.nr. 102 D.
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Other works by Edvard Munch
The Day AfterEdvard Munch(1894)
Inger in Black and VioletEdvard Munch1892
Thorvald LøchenEdvard Munch1918
House with Red Virginia CreeperEdvard MunchAntagelig mellom 1898 og 1899
Tupsy JebeEdvard Munch1896
Workers Returning HomeEdvard Munch1920
Seated NudeEdvard Munch(1913)
Study for a PortraitEdvard Munch1887
Scene from BygdøyEdvard MunchCirka 1881
WomanEdvard MunchCirka 1894
Two Children by the Window; Fighting couple and a Devil; Girl seeing a Devil's FeetEdvard MunchCirka 1884
AshesEdvard Munch(1895)
Other works by M. W. Lassally
Self-PortraitEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1895; trykket 1895
Head of a WomanEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1905; trykket mellom 1906 og 1914
Male NudeEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1902; antagelig trykket etter 1906
SalomeEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1903; trykket 1903
Woman's HeadEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1899; trykket 1905 eller senere
Attraction IEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1896; trykket etter 1906
Two Women on the ShoreEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1898; trykket 1906
Man and WomanEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1899; trykket mellom 1906 og 1914
Two Human Beings. The Lonely OnesEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1899; trykket mellom 1906 og 1914
Melancholy IIIEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1902; trykket ca. 1902
Farewell After the PartyEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1898 eller 1899; trykket mellom 1898 og 1902
The Death of MaratEdvard Munch, M. W. LassallyPlaten utført 1906 eller 1907; trykket mellom 1906 og 1914





























