Saint Bernard in the Snow
- Original dimensions
- 100 x 75 cm
- Museum
- Munch Museum
- Year
- 1913
Scene depicted
In Saint-Bernard in the snow , the solitude of a mountain dog stretches across a winter landscape. The snow, soft yet relentless, envelops the scene in a listened silence, while the silhouette of the Saint-Bernard, a figure of protection and comfort, invites contemplation. The pictorial work evokes an atmosphere of disturbed tranquility, highlighting the contrasts of life and death, happiness and melancholy.
Historical context
Created in 1913, this canvas is emblematic and was made in Oslo, Norway, in a context marked by the artist's personal struggles and the emergence of symbolism . Evolving within the expressionist movement, Saint-Bernard in the snow reflects a quest for intense emotions. Currently exhibited at the Munch Museum, this painting is an essential work that illustrates Munch's mastery of emotional compositions.
Place in the artist's career
This painting is situated in a pivotal period of Munch's career, illustrating a significant stylistic development. Alongside other paintings such as The Scream and The Madonna , Saint-Bernard in the snow marks a turning point where expressionism focuses on the emotional moment rather than realistic representation.
Anecdote
"Nature speaks in silence, but it screams inside." Inspired by a walk where the biting cold mingled with the peaceful calm of the snow, Munch was able to capture the very essence of isolation in this painting . A shadow stretching across the snow, the memory of a fleeting moment, this quote resonates with the introspection felt through the masterpiece .
Major exhibitions
Munch og Ekely: 1916-1944