Construction Workers in the Snow
- Original dimensions
- 103.5 x 128 cm
- Museum
- Munch Museum
- Year
- 1920
Scene depicted
The painting “Workers in the Snow” depicts a powerful scene showcasing workers bustling under dense and silent snow. The intensity of their labor contrasts with the rigid and cold environment of winter, illustrating the constant struggle of man against nature. The human forms, almost ghostly, seem to merge with the landscape, projecting raw emotion and a poignant truth about the human condition.
Historical context
Created in 1920, this iconic painting by Edvard Munch is at the heart of expressionism , an innovative artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It is in the Munch Museum, in Oslo, that this painting is currently displayed, reflecting a period when art sought to capture the deepest human emotions. With dimensions of 103.5 x 128 cm, this painting embodies the vibrant soul of its time.
Place in the artist's career
This major work represents a significant milestone in the career of Edvard Munch , particularly marking his transition to stylistic maturity. While works such as “The Scream” and “The Madonna” reveal themes of passion and anguish, “Workers in the Snow” reflects on the daily struggles of the working class, broadening the emotional spectrum of his work.
Anecdote
“True beauty lies in what we feel,” Munch is said to have remarked during the creation of his masterpiece . Inspired by a winter morning when silence reigned in the city, he detected in the snow an echo of solitude and struggle. This fleeting moment, captured in this canvas , reveals the depth of human life, a poignant reflection of existence.
Major exhibitions
Edvard Munch . Monumental projects