Omega and the Pig

"Omega and the Pig," created by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944, between 1908 and 1909, is a lithograph on paper that exemplifies the psychological intensity of Northern European Expressionism. The artist executed this work as part of the "Alpha and Omega" series, an intensely personal and often disturbing narrative cycle conceived while Munch was undergoing treatment for a mental health crisis. Utilizing the dramatic contrasts inherent in the lithographic medium, Munch created a powerful, graphic statement that moved beyond the delicate atmospheric effects of his earlier Symbolist works.

The imagery stems from a prose poem written by the artist, detailing the tragic relationship between Alpha (a male figure, often a stand-in for Munch) and Omega (the female figure) on a remote island. The original narrative explores themes of jealousy, infidelity, and psychological breakdown through a symbolic cast of characters and animals. This particular print, Omega and the Pig, isolates a tense moment showing Omega interacting with the animal, a creature often used in Munch’s vocabulary to signify betrayal or base instinct. The composition, dominated by heavy black lines and simplified forms, serves to amplify the sense of isolation and existential tension that defined much of the artist's output from this period in Norway.

Produced during a critical transitional phase in Munch's career, this piece showcases his commitment to printmaking as a means of visual storytelling and wide dissemination. As a significant example of early twentieth-century prints, the work of this celebrated Norwegian master resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.