Official reproduction of Edvard Munch's work The Insane, (1908-1909) from MUNCH's collection.
In The Insane, Edvard Munch presents a deeply empathetic exploration of female vulnerability and mental illness. The lithograph depicts a woman leaning forward with her head bent, creating an uncomfortable and introspective posture. This figure, rendered in stylized strokes and surrounded by shadow, confronts themes of madness, alienation, and the duality of self.
Munch had previously addressed similar themes in his 1897 painting Women in Hospital, which portrays a nude female figure surrounded by three other women in clinical detachment. Revisiting the motif in The Insane, Munch strips the context down to the singular figure, allowing her isolation and posture to take center stage. The woman's bent head, a feature revisited in Munch’s later Weeping Nude works, reflects both physical and emotional weight, while the surrounding shadow reinforces her solitude.
During Munch's stay at a private nerve clinic in Copenhagen in 1908–09, he returned to this imagery, using it to meditate on his own struggles with mental health. The dark loops of shadow and the woman’s posture symbolize introspection and inner conflict, inviting viewers to consider the nature of insanity.
The figure’s uncomfortable posture asks viewers to engage with her experience. Her shadow, drawn as an almost autonomous presence, represents the doubling of the self—an exploration of mental illness as both isolating and introspective. This invites questions about identity, the duality of existence, and the tension between internal struggle and external perception.
Munch encourages viewers to empathize with the woman by positioning her as both subject and object of her own gaze. This reflective act raises poignant questions: Is mental illness a doubling of the self? Does the recognition of one’s shadow—or darker aspects of selfhood—allow for reintegration or increase isolation?
In portraying this figure, Munch captures the complexity of female melancholy and mental illness, making The Insane not only an artwork but also a meditation on the universality of human vulnerability.
Printed on museum-quality, FSC-certified paper (210 g/m²), this fine art print retains the depth and vibrancy of Munch’s original creation. Available in multiple sizes, it is perfect for creating a contemplative and artistic atmosphere in any space.
Features:
✔️ Officially licensed fine art print from MUNCH
✔️ Printed on premium, eco-friendly paper
✔️ Available in sizes: 30x40 cm, 50x70 cm, 70x100 cm
✔️ Option to purchase with or without a frame
✔️ A meaningful gift for art enthusiasts and admirers of Munch’s work
About the original
- Title:
Den sinnsyke (NO)
The Insane (EN)
- Date: 1908-1909
- Classification: Lithography
- Material/technique: Lithography
- Owner / Collection: Munchmuseet
About our prints
Quality
Matte Paper Poster:
- Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
- Paper Weight: 200 gsm, durable and long-lasting.
- Environmental Impact: FSC-certified or equivalent paper, supporting sustainable practices.
- Our heavy-weight, white, premium matte paper has a natural, smooth uncoated finish that feels luxurious to the touch.
Framed Matte Paper Poster:
- Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
- Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
- Frame Measurements: 20-25mm thick, 10-14mm wide.
- Paper Weight: 200 gsm, thickness: 0.22 mm.
- Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
- Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
- Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.
Printing
Printing and framing is done by our print partner at a printing facility close to the customer. Because all posters are made to order, all sales are final and non-refundable.
Shipping
We are currently shipping to The EU and Norway.
Shipping costs and delivery time is calculated at the checkout .
Read more here.
Was you order damaged upon arrival? Please send us an email with a description and pictures of the damage on the box and on the product, and we will help you resolve the issue.
Our selection
This is the only place you will find reproductions approved by the MUNCH Museum. Many of the works offered through this store are exclusive and not available anywhere else.
We regularly introduce new motifs from our vast collection. If you’ve fallen in love with a specific artwork and would like a reproduction, feel free to contact us, and we will gladly make it available for you.
