“Kiss IV,” a compelling work by Edvard Munch, produced in 1902, stands as a hallmark of Expressionism. Crafted using woodcut on wood, this genre painting measures 47 x 47 cm and is part of the Munch Museum’s collection in Oslo, Norway. Its creation aligns with the ethos of the Expressionist movement, which sought to convey emotional experience rather than physical reality.
The artwork encapsulates the intense emotional and psychological themes characteristic of Munch’s oeuvre. The composition, dominated by a pair of entwined figures, conveys a sense of deep emotional fusion between the two subjects. Their faces and bodies meld into one another, blurring the boundaries of individual identity and suggesting a profound, possibly overwhelming connection. The woodcut technique, with its bold contrasts and raw textures, enhances the dramatic effect of the scene, emphasizing the Expressionist focus on the inner turmoil and passion of human experiences. The use of the wood grain in the background adds a naturalistic and almost primal feeling to the piece, reinforcing the intensity of the subjects’ embrace.