Night in Saint-Cloud
- Original dimensions
- 54 x 64.5 cm
- Museum
- National Museum
- Year
- 1890
Scene depicted
The painting "Night at Saint-Cloud" depicts a nocturnal scene where shadows dance with diffuse lights. The silhouettes of the trees stand elegantly, while a halo of starlit light seems to illuminate the scene with an almost surreal aura. Munch succeeds in capturing the essence of a night, a suspended moment where time seems to stop, inviting everyone to deep contemplation.
Historical context
Created at the end of the 19th century, the painting "Night at Saint-Cloud" is at the heart of the symbolist movement that was in full swing at that time. Munch, through this canvas , captures a unique atmosphere, where the nocturnal silence of Saint-Cloud radiates a palpable emotion. Currently, this masterpiece rests in the collections of the prestigious National Museum.
Place in the artist's career
This painting marks a significant milestone in Munch's career, reflecting his evolution towards emotional symbolism . In parallel with other works like "The Scream" and "The Madonna," a coherence can be perceived in Munch's quest to express human suffering and passions, while moving towards an increasingly complex composition .
Anecdote
"The night has always fascinated me; it is in the darkness that light reveals all its splendor," Munch could have declared while discussing the genesis of his painting . A misty twilight in the gardens of Saint-Cloud, where a distant melody mingles with the whispers of the leaves, inspired this pictorial work imbued with mystery and introspection.
Major exhibitions
Munch and France