Masons at Work on the Studio Building
- Original dimensions
- 90.5 x 69 cm
- Museum
- Munch museum
- Year
- 1920
Scene depicted
In this pictorial work, Edvard Munch captures a scene of labor and human connection. The masons, at the heart of their task, move with a palpable intensity, like characters emerging from a painting of another time. Each gesture, each movement seems imbued with shared effort, thus anchoring the canvas in a vibrant and authentic social reality.
Historical context
Created in 1920 in the vibrant setting of Oslo, this painting is emblematic of the expressionist movement, reflecting the turmoil and introspection of a time in transformation. Today, this canvas is housed in the Munch museum, guardian of the works of this major artist, like a beacon in the landscape of modern art.
Place in the artist's career
This masterpiece fits into a period of maturation for Munch, where style begins to merge with his personal vision of human relationships. Alongside works such as The Scream and The Dancers , a significant evolution is perceived, from the isolated individual to a more collective and dynamic representation of society.
Anecdote
“Art is the most beautiful of breaths,” Munch might have said one April morning, contemplating the masons busy erecting a building that would carry the dreams of thousands. This quote resonates with the evocative power of Masons at work on the studio building , capturing an essence of hope and determination through its composition.
Major exhibitions
Edvard Munch . Monumental projects