Olga Buhre
- Original dimensions
- 59.4 x 73.4 cm
- Museum
- Statens Museum for Kunst
- Year
- 1891
Scene depicted
In this canvas , Edvard Munch focuses on the figure of Olga Buhre, who became one of the most iconic female faces in his work. Revealing a moment of palpable intimacy, he draws the viewer's attention to Olga's expressive eyes, ready to unveil buried secrets. The composition plays with shadows and lights, inviting silent contemplation.
Historical context
Created in 1891, this iconic painting unfolds in the vibrant setting of Christiania, now Oslo, Norway. Emerging from the expressionist movement, the canvas conveys the passion and introspection characteristic of its time. Currently housed at the Statens Museum for Kunst , this masterpiece embodies an exceptional fusion of art and history.
Place in the artist's career
This painting is situated at a crucial turning point in Munch's career, marking the beginning of an intense creative phase. Alongside other canvases such as “The Scream” and “The Madonna,” the composition of Olga Buhre reveals an emotional evolution, oscillating between beauty and suffering, characteristic of Munch's work.
Anecdote
“Every portrait is a landscape of the soul” Munch might have stated during one of his spring walks through the city. Inspired by a gentle morning of awakening, he captures the luminous and melancholic essence of Olga Buhre in this painting , highlighting the depth of her emotions and her intimacy with the model.
Major exhibitions
Munch og Frankrike