Woman with Red Hair and Green Eyes. The Sin

Woman with Red Hair and Green Eyes. The Sin by Edvard Munch Norwegian, 1863-1944, is a powerful early 20th-century print created in 1902. As a master of graphic arts, Munch employed a complex transfer lithograph technique, showcasing his dedication to expanding the expressive potential of prints. This specific impression was achieved by printing from two separate stones, utilizing yellow, reddish-brown, and green inks to create the distinctive, almost lurid coloration. The choice of thin, cream, semi-transparent wove paper emphasizes the ethereal and disturbing nature of the subject and allows the texture of the ink to remain visible.

Munch often explored themes of modern anxiety, female fatalism, and erotic tension, central concepts within late Symbolist art emanating from Norway. This piece, with its direct, challenging gaze and fiery red hair, personifies the dangerous and alluring aspects of sexuality, reflecting the artist's intense preoccupation with existential angst and the perception of women as the femme fatale. The figure's face dominates the composition, starkly illuminated by the vivid, almost unnatural color palette achieved through the lithography process.

The classification as a print highlights Munch’s commitment to disseminating his intense personal visions, transitioning his powerful painted expressionism into a format accessible to a wider audience. This significant graphic work of 1902 is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains a key example of the artist’s mastery of color lithography. Like many important historical prints, Woman with Red Hair and Green Eyes. The Sin is often available for scholarly research via public domain resources.