The Sick Child I (Det syke barn I)

The Sick Child I (Det syke barn I) by Edvard Munch, executed in 1896, is a powerful example of the artist's lithographic work and a critical iteration of his most enduring and painful subjects. Munch frequently revisited major emotional themes from his life across various media, and this print translates the deep sorrow inherent in the motif into the stark, expressive language of the lithograph technique. As a master printmaker, Munch utilized the lithographic process to achieve dramatic contrasts between light and dark, enhancing the somber, heavy atmosphere characteristic of his emerging Expressionist style.

The subject matter directly addresses the trauma Munch experienced watching his older sister, Sophie, die of tuberculosis in 1877. Unlike the more detailed, painted versions, this 1896 print distills the scene down to two figures: the pale, resigned child, and the solitary, bowed figure leaning into the heavy curtain. This reduction of detail amplifies the psychological intensity, focusing viewers purely on the feeling of loss and isolation. This concentration on deep, internalized states made Munch a foundational figure in Norwegian art and an essential precursor to 20th-century Modernism.

The decision by Munch to reproduce such emotionally charged subjects as The Sick Child I in graphic forms, such as lithographs and prints, was central to his career strategy during the late 1890s. Printmaking allowed the profound emotional statement to reach a wider international audience than unique paintings could. This dissemination of his work solidified Munch’s reputation as a groundbreaking modern master. This specific impression is recognized globally for its artistic and historical importance and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).