Alma mater
- Original dimensions
- 219 x 97 cm
- Museum
- Munch Museum
- Year
- 1920
Scene depicted
In this composition, the painting evokes the tender and complex beauty of family relationships. The female figures depicted in the painting are bathed in dreamy light, symbolizing the protection and influence of maternal figures, while the background rustles with vibrant colors that convey life and the promises of the future.
Historical context
Created in Oslo, the capital of Norway, in the year 1920, Alma mater stands as an icon of the expressionist movement. This painting was conceived at a time when Munch refined his unique style, blending vibrant colors and raw emotion. Today, this emotive canvas is displayed at the Munch Museum, celebrating the artistic legacy of the artist with imposing dimensions of 219 x 97 cm.
Place in the artist's career
Integrated into a pivotal period of his career, Alma mater reveals Munch's stylistic maturity. Compared to The Scream and The Madonna , this canvas shows an evolution towards a softer and more introspective exploration of human emotions, establishing a strong link between visual art and personal feeling.
Anecdote
“Art must be a reflection of the human soul,” said Munch, inspired by the whisper of stories at dusk. It is in this quest, during a solitary walk by the water, that he imagined the poignant power of Alma mater , a work that captures the depth of emotional bonds.