Woman with a Red Hat
- Original dimensions
- 18 x 24 cm
- Museum
- Gothenburg Museum of Fine Arts
- Year
- 1893
Scene depicted
The canvas “Woman with a Red Hat” expresses a rich internal psychology through the face of the young woman. Illuminated by soft light, she appears lost in her thoughts, her hat vibrant with a sanguine color that dramatizes her silhouette. The background, now blurred, accentuates her isolation, a disturbing representation of the emotional realities that Munch so brilliantly captured.
Historical context
Created in 1893, in the seaside city of Gothenburg, this magnificent painting is part of the expressionist movement, reflecting the turmoil and passion of its time. Edvard Munch , then at the beginning of his career, immortalizes in this canvas a woman, a symbol of intense emotions and personal suffering. Currently exhibited at the Gothenburg Museum of Fine Arts , this work measures 18 x 24 cm and breathes all the sensitivity of the artist.
Place in the artist's career
This painting is situated at a turning point in Munch's career, marking the transition to a more free and introspective expression. In parallel with works such as “The Scream” and “The Madonna,” this canvas reveals his stylistic evolution towards symbolism and expressionism , reinforcing his status as a major artist of the 19th century.
Anecdote
Edvard Munch once said: “I do not paint what I see, I paint what I feel.” In the hollow of a dark alley, in spring, he encountered a face marked by sorrow and beauty, thus inspiring the painting of this woman with a red hat. This fleeting moment resonates in the emotional strength of his composition , capturing life itself.