Young Woman under an Apple Tree
- Original dimensions
- 100.81 x 110.49 cm
- Museum
- Carnegie Museum of Art
- Year
- 1904
Scene depicted
In this painting , the heroine appears, lost in her thoughts, surrounded by the delicacy of flowering apple trees. Munch succeeds in capturing the intimacy of a sublime moment, where the beauty of nature mingles with the melancholy of human feeling. The glow of light plays on her face, accentuating the depth of her expression, while the green of the leaves and the white of the flowers create a cosmic harmony.
Historical context
Created in 1904, in the artistic city of Oslo, this canvas is emblematic of the expressionist movement, where subjectivity and emotion take precedence over realistic representation. This era, marked by a quest for personal and emotional identity, frames the painting at the heart of a pictorial revolution. Today, this work is proudly displayed at the Carnegie Museum of Art , adding to its aura the respect and admiration of a global audience.
Place in the artist's career
“Young Woman under an Apple Tree” represents a pivotal period in Munch's career, a perfect balance between his promising beginnings and his mature style. It can be related to “The Scream,” in the search for intense emotions, and “The Madonna,” where sensuality captivates the viewer. These compositions testify to the remarkable evolution of his creative genius.
Anecdote
“One must see without being seen, feel without being felt.” This quote resonates with the birth of this masterpiece on a gentle spring morning, when Munch crossed the gaze of a distracted young woman, motionless under a flowering apple tree. This fleeting vision, imbued with light and floral fragrance, carried within it the emotional essence of the painting , its evocative power resonating in hearts to this day.