Man with Bronchitis
- Original dimensions
- 95 x 100.5 cm
- Museum
- Munch Museum
- Year
- 1920
Scene depicted
In “Man with Bronchitis,” Munch depicts a man beset by illness, his face imbued with melancholy. The character seems lost in thought, a disarming vulnerability, while a nebulous background testifies to an inner struggle. The canvas thus evokes an atmosphere of despair, where the human condition faces the indifference of the world.
Historical context
Created in 1920, this painting is emblematic of the rich artistic context of Oslo, Norway, then at the heart of the expressionist movement. The canvas was born during a period of inner turmoil for Munch, reflecting his dialogue with trauma and the human condition. Currently exhibited at the Munch Museum, this painting is a gateway to the artist's tormented soul.
Place in the artist's career
“Man with Bronchitis” stands as an essential work in Munch's career, marking a turning point towards more introspective compositions. At the interface between his early works like “The Scream” and his later pieces such as “The Dance of Life,” this painting reveals the evolution of his visual language and the deepening of his existential themes.
Anecdote
“Pain reveals itself through the portrait,” Munch said, evoking the emotional intensity that animated him in his creations. The inspiration for this masterpiece may have arisen on a misty morning, as Munch observed a hieratic face marked by suffering. This painting is a testament to that, a visceral exploration of human suffering, translated by each brushstroke.
Major exhibitions
Munch og Ekely: 1916-1944