10 October 2012

edvard munch. the gothic.

Madonna, 1895 (Lithograph & Woodcut)

The Storm, 1893 (Oil on Canvas)

The Tiger & the Bear, 1908 (Transfer Lithograph)

The Woman, 1989 (Lithograph with Gouache Additions)

Man's Head in Woman's Hair, 1896 (Woodcut)

Death in the Sickroom, 1896 (Lithograph, Composition)

Two Women on the Beach, 1898 (Woodcut, Composition)

Vampire II, 1895 (Lithograph & Woodcut)
In honor of Halloween this month, and though Edvard Munch's work is much more than horror, I decided to share some paintings and etchings. The Norwegian Symbolist painter and printmaker evokes the emotion and anticipation of the turn of the century through deeply psychological themes. His painting Scream is his most recognizable image (thanks to Wes Craven), but as you can see in The Storm, the symbol of the skeletal shrieking figure reoccurs.

Lately I have been doing a lot of research on the medieval relic, so I am really interested in Munch's interpretation of the Madonna. She is provocative and suggestive, instead of representing the blessed mother of the world. Instead of holding the Christ figure on her knee or in her arms, the bizarre fetal figure resides in the corner of the image. It looks scared, dark and alone. The woodcut is then framed in a sperm-like design suggesting the earthly cycle of life.  This becomes perhaps a realist view of the Madonna, if it is truly her that is being portrayed. Gustav Klimt rendered mythical women, modern (i.e. Judith I), but the modern Madonna is quite interesting.

I hope you enjoy, see something you haven't seen before and share some art with the people you love.

happy eatings & cheers!

All images...

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