Alpha and Omega:Title Page

Alpha and Omega:Title Page, created by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944, is a significant lithograph on paper dating from 1908-1909. This dramatic print serves as the cover sheet for Munch's controversial series of twenty-two lithographs and an accompanying short prose poem, all sharing the title Alpha and Omega. Executed shortly after the artist’s nervous breakdown and subsequent hospitalization in Copenhagen, the work reflects the intense psychological explorations that defined Norwegian Expressionism at the turn of the century.

The title page itself utilizes the high contrast and stark black-and-white forms characteristic of Munch’s printmaking technique, setting the visual tone for the complex allegory that follows. The complete Alpha and Omega series details a primitive, mythical history of an island’s first man and woman, Omega and Alpha, exploring primordial themes of jealousy, primal love, and violence. During the 1908-1909 period, Munch was deeply engaged in creating narrative print cycles that expanded beyond single-figure studies, allowing him to weave complex mythologies reflective of his own internal turmoil. The use of the demanding medium of lithography enabled the artist to rapidly translate these psychological dramas onto paper.

This specific impression of the print confirms the enduring power of Munch's graphic output. The survival of high-quality early lithographs such as this one ensures that these impactful Norwegian works remain widely accessible, with many of his essential prints entering the public domain. The work is classified as an essential example of modern Norwegian printmaking and is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.