Embracing the Depths of Symbolism: Edvard Munch’s ‘Vampire’ in Contemporary Decor

Dec 21, 2023

2 min read

Updated: Oct 16

Edvard Munch, Vampire, Symbolist painting of an embracing couple

Edvard Munch's Vampire shows a woman holding a man's head against her neck in an embrace that can read as a kiss or a bite. Munch first called the subject Love and Pain, and the later title Vampire stuck. He made several painted and printed versions between the 1890s and the early 1900s.

Why is it called Vampire?

The title was not Munch's first. Around 1893 he called the subject Love and Pain, and the name Vampire is usually credited to his friend, the writer Stanisław Przybyszewski. Munch is reported to have said that the picture simply showed a woman kissing a man's neck, but the darker title shaped how everyone reads it.

What does Vampire say about love?

The red hair falls over both figures like a net, binding them together. The picture reflects the Symbolist belief that love and pain are tied together, a theme running through Munch's Frieze of Life, the cycle of pictures about love, anxiety and death that also includes The Scream.

Zocine Art Design is an independent studio that prints classic paintings as wall art. See this print at the Zocine Art Design shop on Etsy.

Edvard Munch’s ‘Vampire,’ painted in 1895, is a masterpiece that delves into complex human emotions and the psyche. This artwork, embodying Symbolism, portrays themes of love, fear, and longing in a haunting visual narrative. Munch’s ability to capture profound emotional depth makes ‘Vampire’ a significant historical piece in art. For more insight into this impactful work, you can learn about its history and context by visiting the relevant page.