Two Human Beings. The Lonely Ones

Two Human Beings. The Lonely Ones by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944, dating from 1894, is a powerful early example of the artist’s rigorous engagement with graphic media. This intimate print was created using drypoint, roulette, and burnisher applied skillfully to a copper plate, resulting in a highly textural image printed on cream wove paper. Munch was dedicated to experimenting with printmaking processes during the 1890s, recognizing their potential for widespread distribution and expressive impact beyond traditional oil painting.

The subject, featuring two figures standing rigidly apart by the water, explores essential themes of human alienation and existential solitude that defined much of Munch’s celebrated output. As a central figure in Symbolism and modern art from Norway, Munch utilized simplified forms and stark contrasts to convey intense, internal psychological states rather than objective reality. Created during his most defining creative period, this work demonstrates the artist's focus on the fragile and often agonizing connection between individuals, a concept frequently revisited in his work concerning isolation and desire.

The fine details and tonal variation achieved through the subtle application of the roulette and the burnisher highlight the precision Munch brought to all his graphic output. This important print is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key representation of late 19th-century psychological Symbolism. The early date and technical mastery confirm its significance among Munch’s essential prints, which are foundational to European modernism.