EDVARD MUNCH | The Two Human Beings. The Lonely Ones (Woll 157; Schiefler 133)

The important and rare woodcut printed in marine-blue, black, ochre and red, from three blocks, the woman's hair printed in the manner of monotype and strengthened with additional rich red colour, 1899, a fine impression of Woll's fourth state (of eight), stamped verso 'Fra Edvard Munchs testamentariske gave. OSLO KOMMUNE' (From the bequest of Edvard Munch. City of Oslo), printed by the artist or Nielsen circa 1917, printing with relief verso, on cream wove paper, framed 

From the Collection of Dr. Kristian Emil Schreiner; thence by descent to the present owners 

Esteemed physician and anatomist Dr. Kristian Emil Schreiner remembered how an ordinary house-call resulted in his friendship with Edvard Munch: ‘It was a Sunday morning…Munch himself came to open the door, impeded by a couple of out-of-control setters jumping up and down about his knees.’  The doctor ultimately sat for the artist on at least twelve occasions, depicted as an anatomist or as Shakespeare’s tragic protagonist Hamlet, cradling a skull in each instance. ‘Here we are,’ Munch mused during one of these sittings, ‘two anatomists sitting together; one of the body, one of the soul.  I am perfectly aware that you would like to dissect me but be careful.  I too have my knives.’ Munch honoured their relationship by insisting that Dr. Schreiner handle his personal papers upon his death in 1944. Of the 15,391 impressions of 714 different subjects listed in the printmaker’s will, 15,287 items went to the care of the foundation that would later become the Munch Museum, to whom Dr. Schreiner’s family also donated a painting.  In return, the grateful foundation gifted the family this fine impression of The Lonely Ones—a lasting memento of Munch’s and Schreiner’s friendship.