The Serpent is Killed

The Serpent is Killed, created by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944 between 1908 and 1909, is a powerful example of the artist's later graphic output. Classified as a print, the medium is a lithograph on paper executed during a pivotal period in Munch’s life, immediately following a serious mental health crisis that necessitated hospitalization. This personal upheaval often manifested in his works from this era, contributing to their raw, psychological intensity.

Munch, a master printmaker whose influence on modern prints is profound, employed the lithographic process to achieve a sense of immediacy and stark drama. Unlike some of his earlier, more atmospheric woodcuts, this piece utilizes highly contrasting black and white tones and simplified, dynamic lines. The composition embodies the characteristic psychological angst associated with the Expressionist movement, a style Munch significantly pioneered and developed. The image, while ambiguous in specific narrative details, evokes themes of conflict and survival.

Reflecting his stature as one of Norway’s most influential artists, Munch frequently leveraged graphic media to explore universal themes of despair, anxiety, and relationship struggles. The expressive power in The Serpent is Killed suggests a confrontation or resolution, interpreted by many scholars as an externalization of the artist’s own internal battles during his recovery. This important work, representative of the emotional depth achieved through his mastery of black and white lithography, is permanently held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.