The Urn (Urnen)

The Urn (Urnen) is a striking lithograph created by Edvard Munch in 1896. As a central figure in the Symbolist movement and a precursor to German Expressionism, Munch utilized printmaking extensively to disseminate his emotionally charged iconography. This particular lithograph exemplifies his mastery of the medium, employing stark black and white contrasts to achieve a profound psychological depth.

Created during a crucial period in the artist's career, when he was finalizing many of the themes related to his ambitious Frieze of Life series, the work uses a dramatically simplified form to evoke powerful ideas of mortality and grief. Although abstract in execution, the subject matter, derived from the titular urn, functions as a direct metaphor for human remains and remembrance. The resulting image is intensely focused, demonstrating Munch’s tendency to strip away narrative detail in favor of isolating the core emotional experience.

The specific characteristics of this printing technique—the heavy outlines and flattened perspective—were ideal for conveying the intense emotional isolation often explored by the Norwegian master. The decision by Munch to embrace techniques like the lithograph allowed him to create multiple prints of significant works like The Urn, facilitating the broad circulation of his vision across Europe.

This powerful example of late 19th-century graphic art is an essential record of the development of modern printmaking. The work, which remains starkly relevant for its emotive quality, is permanently held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Munch’s prolific body of prints, influential globally, ensures that key imagery from this era often enters the public domain, securing the lasting legacy of the artist.