Vampire II (Vampyr II)

Vampire II (Vampyr II) by Edvard Munch is a profound lithograph print created in 1895 and signed by the artist in 1897. As a master of the graphic arts, Munch utilized the stark contrasts and textural possibilities inherent in the lithographic process to intensify the psychological impact of this image. This powerful Norwegian work belongs to the thematic cycle Munch termed The Frieze of Life, an exploration of existential themes including love, illness, and the anxiety of modern relationships.

The piece depicts an intimate yet unsettling embrace between a man and a woman. The female figure, whose long, flowing red hair surrounds the male’s neck and head, leans down in a posture that art historical interpretation often views as either tenderly comforting or profoundly predatory. Munch, working during the height of Symbolism, translated intense internal states and personal trauma into visually arresting symbolic representations. The popular title, Vampire II, though not the artist's original designation (which was Love and Pain), captures the pervasive fin-de-siècle anxiety surrounding female power and the drain of life force in complex human bonds.

This work is classified as a fine art print, demonstrating Munch's sophisticated technical control. Many of his most impactful compositions were created as prints, allowing him to circulate his intense imagery widely across Europe. The composition features heavy, dark lines and deep shadows characteristic of his graphic output during this period. This impression of Vampire II (Vampyr II) resides in the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The enduring power of Munch's artistry ensures that while original prints are rare, reproductions derived from the masterwork are frequently encountered in the public domain.