Farm Horse and Wagon in Front of the Buildings
- Original dimensions
- 18 x 12 cm
- Museum
- Not specified
- Year
- 1880
Scene depicted
In this canvas , Munch captures a tranquil atmosphere where a horse and a wagon stand in front of iconic buildings, in harmony with the surrounding nature. The juxtaposition between the animal element and human constructions questions the relationship between man and the living world, thus challenging the conventions of his time.
Historical context
Created in 1880, the painting "Farm Horse and Wagon in front of the buildings" by Edvard Munch is rooted in a Nordic context, probably in the city of Oslo, Norway. At the time, Munch was taking his first steps in the expressionist movement, which he would later influence. Although the painting is currently in private collections, its perfectly preserved dimensions testify to the delicacy of this canvas .
Place in the artist's career
“Farm Horse and Wagon in front of the buildings” fits into Munch's artistically promising youth period, alongside works like “The Scream” and “The Madonna” that each mark their era. This painting reveals a growing emotional sensitivity, paving the way for an artistic maturity palpable in his later creations.
Anecdote
“I paint not what I see, but what I feel.” This is one of the phrases that summarizes the essence of Munch. The inspiration for this masterpiece may have arisen on a misty morning, as he contemplated the peace of a rural scene at dawn, where the horse patiently awaits its harness under the first rays of the sun. This emotion infuses the very heart of the painting .