Woman's Portrait
- Original dimensions
- 46 x 50.5 cm
- Museum
- Munch Museum
- Year
- 1907
Scene depicted
This illustrative painting depicts a woman lost in her thoughts, her introspective gaze poignantly captured. The vibrant hues and textured surfaces of the painting invite the viewer to contemplate her state of mind, evoking complex emotions of anxiety and beauty. Here, silence becomes palpable and time seems suspended.
Historical context
Created in 1907 in Oslo, this painting is part of the expressionist movement, marking a time when raw emotion and subjectivity took precedence over artistic conventions. This iconic painting, preserved in the Munch Museum, reflects Munch's unique vision, immersed in a cultural context where art explored the depths of the human soul.
Place in the artist's career
“Portrait of a Woman” is a milestone in Munch's career, representing a period of maturity where his style reached impressive mastery. Alongside “The Scream” and “The Madonna,” this painting illustrates the evolution of his visual language and his exploration of existential themes, highlighting his importance in the history of art.
Anecdote
“The canvas is an echo of my thoughts, a breath of my reality,” Munch said when referring to this masterpiece . It was on a delicate morning, illuminated by the first rays of spring sunshine, that he encountered this mysterious face in a peaceful alley, a moment captured for eternity.
Major exhibitions
Munch og Warnemünde: 1907-1908