A gradient coil is connected to a controllable gradient amplifier via a first diagonal of a bridge circuit having four switches and unbiased diodes respectively connected parallel thereto. A capacitor that forms a resonant circuit together with the gradient coil is connected into the second bridge diagonal of the bridge circuit. A sinusoidal current is supplied through the gradient coil. Due to intentionally incomplete discharging of the capacitor at every other half-wave, an offset current can be superimposed on the sinusoidal current through the gradient coil.