Artwork
Boy In Blue
Boy In Blue is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1900 by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, *Boy in Blue* is an oil painting that belongs to the post‑impressionist period of his career. The work is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ permanent collection and presents a solitary youth rendered in a dominant blue palette.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas shows a young boy standing outdoors, clutching a long pole to which a bundle is tied. He wears a dark blue coat and trousers, his round face illuminated by pale hair and bright eyes. The muted, misty landscape behind him suggests a wintry or fog‑laden field, emphasizing the figure’s isolation.
Technique & Style
Munch applied the paint with thick, uneven brushstrokes that give the surface a pronounced impasto texture. The rough handling of pigment makes the boy’s features and clothing stand out sharply, while the background is rendered with softer, blurred strokes, creating a visual contrast between figure and setting.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display. It follows Munch’s earlier, widely recognized works such as *The Scream* (1893), which had already established his reputation for probing personal anxiety and psychological depth.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
