Stéphane Mallarmé

Stéphane Mallarmé is a critical 1897 print created by the Norwegian Symbolist and Expressionist artist Edvard Munch (1863-1944), executed with the technical assistance of the noted Parisian printer Auguste Clot (1858-1936). This exceptional portrait showcases Munch’s sophisticated approach to graphic arts, utilizing a transfer lithograph process that was meticulously enhanced by crayon additions and scraping techniques. The finished work is rendered in a distinct green ink applied to fine cream Japanese paper, demonstrating the complex methods used by the artist to achieve both luminosity and texture in his prints.

The subject is the influential French Symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé, whose work profoundly impacted the aesthetic sensibilities of the era. Munch’s rendering of the poet captures a sense of reserved psychological depth, characteristic of the psychological drama that defines much of his oeuvre. The deliberate choice of lithography allowed Munch to push beyond traditional portraiture, creating an intense atmosphere that reflects the shared intellectual landscape of Symbolism and early Expressionism. The collaboration with Clot underscores the international scope of Munch’s practice, bringing the printmaking innovations of France to the output of one of Norway’s most significant artists.

This fine art print holds a place within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The technical mastery demonstrated in the handling of color and texture solidified Munch’s reputation not just as a painter, but as a groundbreaking modernist master of prints. His influential contributions from Norway to the development of graphic arts remain pivotal to the history of modern art, and many of his celebrated works are now accessible through public domain resources for global scholarship.