Madonna

The iconic print Madonna by Edvard Munch was created in 1895, utilizing the complex, layered technique of lithograph combined with woodcut elements. This hybrid approach allowed Edvard Munch to achieve intense color fields and dramatic contrast, establishing the work as a pivotal example of his Symbolist and Expressionist style. This piece falls within the prolific period of 1895–1902, when the Norwegian artist was focused on developing his seminal cycle, The Frieze of Life.

Unlike traditional depictions of the Virgin Mary, Munch’s version transforms the subject into a figure of modern sensuality and anguish. The female figure is rendered in a state of ecstasy or deep introspection, emphasized by the dramatic halo and the boundary of flowing sperm and an embryonic figure surrounding the central image. This connection between desire, reproduction, and impending mortality became a characteristic motif in Munch’s exploration of life and death cycles. He frequently revisited this theme in his graphic work, making numerous state changes and versions across various media, a testament to its central importance in his oeuvre.

Munch’s mastery of graphic media is clearly evident in the technical sophistication of this particular impression, which leverages the strengths of both lithography for fine detail and woodcut for textural black areas. This powerful image remains one of the artist’s most recognized creations. The Museum of Modern Art holds this exemplary version, demonstrating the profound quality of Munch’s experimentation with prints. Because of its historical significance and widespread reproduction, the concept for the artwork is frequently associated with resources in the public domain, though specific early impressions like this MoMA holding remain important catalog references for scholars studying the development of modern printmaking.