Alpha's Despair

1908/1909

Edvard Munch

Associated Names
Edvard Munch

Artist, Norwegian, 1863 - 1944

The image shows a person standing in the center. The person faces the viewer with their head tilted to the left, mouth open, and hands on either side of their face. The person's features are exaggerated, and their hair appears to be flowing backward. They wear a robe-like garment. There are no accessories or objects in the image. The background consists of swirling lines suggesting water and sky, creating a dynamic atmosphere. The composition is monochromatic, emphasizing the dramatic expression and movement.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lithograph in black

  • Credit Line

    The Epstein Family Collection

  • Dimensions

    stone: 43.8 x 36.3 cm (17 1/4 x 14 5/16 in.)
    sheet: 65.3 x 47.8 cm (25 11/16 x 18 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2002.10.3

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Woll 2001, no. 355, State only

Associated Artworks

See all 23 artworks

Alpha and Omega

Edvard Munch

1908

Alpha and Omega

Edvard Munch

1908

The drawing depicts various animals and abstract figures in a dramatic scene. The animals include a tiger and other fantastical creatures surrounding a figure on the ground. On the right, abstract figures with exaggerated expressions stand together with their arms raised. The background shows a mountainous landscape with lines suggesting water or sky. The composition uses bold, dynamic lines to convey movement and tension.

Alpha's Death

Edvard Munch

1908

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2016

  • Edvard Munch and the Sea, Tacoma Art Museum, 2016.

2020

  • Edvard Munch and the Cycle of Life, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, 2020, no cat.

Bibliography

1907

  • Schiefler, Gustav. Verzeichnis des graphischen Werks Edvard Munchs bis 1906. vol. 1. Berlin, 1907 (reprinted 1974); and Schiefler, Gustav. Edvard Munch. Das graphische Werk 1906-1926. vol. 2. Berlin, 1927. (reprinted 1974).

2001

  • Woll, Gerd. Edvard Munch: The Complete Graphic Works. New York, 2001.

Wikidata ID

Q76338531

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