Workers in the Snow
- Original dimensions
- 162 x 223.5 cm
- Museum
- National Museum of Western Art
- Year
- 1910
Scene depicted
In Workers in the Snow , Munch captures a poignant moment: silhouettes of workers standing out against a snow-covered landscape. The painting evokes the difficulty and alienation of work in a harsh environment. This composition, both realistic and symbolic, shows how winter covers and transforms the reality of men, weaving a connection between the outside world and the inner human experience.
Historical context
Created at the heart of the expressionist movement, the canvas Workers in the Snow illustrates the depth of human struggles at the beginning of the 20th century. In the vibrant city of Oslo, Norway, the painting is a living memory of the social and economic context of its time. Today, this major work is located at the National Museum of Western Art , where it continues to captivate visitors with its imposing dimensions.
Place in the artist's career
This painting marks a turning point in Munch's career, where his expressionism refines and matures. Comparable to other iconic paintings such as The Scream and The Madonna , Workers in the Snow shows his growing interest in social struggles and the human condition, as he continues to explore themes of solitude and anxiety with poignant intensity.
Anecdote
“I represent what I feel deeply and what strikes me the most.” These words of Edvard Munch resonate strongly when contemplating his masterpiece . One winter morning, the workers, bundled in their coats, walked silently through the snowflakes, when the artist absorbed this scene to create a painting filled with emotion. The chill of the cold and the heavy silence of winter are evident in every brushstroke of this canvas .
Major exhibitions
Edvard Munch . Monumental projects