Artwork
Building Workers in Snow
Building Workers in Snow is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1920, this oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch portrays two laborers amid a snow‑filled landscape. One figure bears a long wooden beam across his shoulder while the other follows, both dressed in simple work clothing. Behind them looms an unfinished timber structure, its skeletal frame outlined against the white ground, suggesting a scene of winter construction.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of quiet industry, emphasizing the perseverance of workers confronting harsh weather. By focusing on ordinary laborers rather than heroic figures, Munch underscores the dignity of everyday toil and the subtle tension between human effort and the indifferent, cold environment.
Technique & Style
Munch employs a restrained palette of muted yellows, blues, and browns, allowing the snow’s brightness to dominate. Broad, expressive brushstrokes convey movement and the weight of the carried beam, while the simplified forms reflect his post‑impressionist leanings toward emotional resonance over precise detail.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it remains on display. It was produced during a prolific period in Munch’s career when he was exploring themes of labor and modern life, following his earlier, more overtly psychological works.
Context
At the time of its creation, Norway was undergoing rapid industrial development, and construction sites became common subjects for artists interested in modernity. Munch’s choice to depict workers in a snow‑bound setting aligns with contemporary concerns about the relationship between humanity, work, and the natural world.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
