At the Bar
- Original dimensions
- 70.5 x 64.5 cm
- Museum
- Städel Museum
- Year
- 1890
Scene depicted
In At the Bar , Munch immerses us in the universe of a Parisian café, where every detail resonates with palpable melancholy. The faces, marked by solitude, get lost in the glass, translating a quest for escape. The fluid lines and deep hues reveal an atmosphere that is both vibrant and disenchanted, a reflection of urban life in the 19th century.
Historical context
Created in 1890 in the vibrant city of Frankfurt, the painting At the Bar is part of the symbolist movement that permeates the work of Edvard Munch . At that time, the artist found himself at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, captivated by the dramas of the human soul. Today, this painting with an intimate atmosphere rests in the Städel Museum , preserved as a treasure of human emotions.
Place in the artist's career
This canvas , representing an important milestone in the career of Edvard Munch , testifies to his artistic development. It is situated just before his major works like The Scream and The Dance of Life . With “At the Bar,” Munch integrates the psychological tensions that characterize him, reinforcing his unique aesthetic.
Anecdote
“I paint what I see and what I feel, beyond forms.” This thought, emerging from a foggy morning in Oslo, perfectly illustrates the genesis of At the Bar . Munch, in front of an empty glass, observed the lost souls of the modern world, capturing the precious moment where the shadow of anxiety mingles with the comfort of alcohol.
Major exhibitions
Munch and France