The Sin, 1902

The Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1863–1944) created several versions of this motif of a female semi-nude with long, thick hair. Determined to gain a foothold in the local art world, Munch rented a studio in Berlin in the winter of 1902. During this time, he hired professional models. One of these women modeled both for a painting as well as for this lithograph: With her flowing, red hair, she epitomized the type of femme fatale of the time – the kind of fateful, seductive women who inspired both excitement and fear in men. Munch equated this with the religious concept of The Sin – man’s infringement of the divine law through the wrong lifestyle. The first, monochrome prints from the stone, which include this work, were followed by color prints with red hair, yellow lines on the belly and green eyes.

AK, 2021