Alpha and Omega: Omega's Flight

Alpha and Omega: Omega's Flight by Edvard Munch is a powerful lithograph created between 1908 and 1909. This print belongs to Munch’s significant Alpha and Omega series, a narrative sequence exploring the tumultuous and destructive relationship between the first man (Alpha) and the first woman (Omega) on an isolated island. As a master printmaker from Norway, Munch utilized the lithographic technique to achieve the intense contrasts and nervous, flowing lines characteristic of his mature expressionist style. The production of prints allowed Munch to disseminate his deeply personal psychological themes widely, establishing him as a crucial figure in the development of modern graphic arts.

The image captures the final, frantic moment of the series, likely depicting Omega’s escape or confrontation following the inevitable betrayal and tragic consequences of their affair. Like many of Munch’s prints from this period, the composition relies on raw emotional expression rather than naturalistic detail. The economy of line and stark black-and-white presentation inherent in the lithograph intensify the themes of jealousy and emotional abandonment central to the narrative.

Munch created this compelling series while he was undergoing treatment, marking a key period of psychological exploration within his oeuvre. The raw power achieved in this lithograph cemented Munch’s reputation as a pioneer in visually expressing internal anguish. Works like Alpha and Omega: Omega’s Flight remain highly sought-after prints, symbolizing Munch's enduring legacy as an artist who channeled personal trauma into universal psychological drama. This significant example of 20th-century printmaking is housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.