Artwork
Galloping White Horse
Galloping White Horse is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1928, *Galloping White Horse* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work belongs to the later phase of his career, when he was working within the broader post‑impressionist current. It is part of the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas centers on a white horse caught mid‑gallop across an open field. The animal’s head is turned to the right, its legs stretched in dynamic motion, while a pale blue sky and muted greenery form the backdrop. The composition conveys a fleeting sense of speed and vitality, echoing Munch’s ongoing interest in portraying psychological tension through natural subjects.
Technique & Style
Munch employs loose, expressive brushwork that leaves the texture of the oil paint visible, especially in the horse’s body and the surrounding landscape. A limited palette of whites, blues, and earth tones heightens the contrast between the animal and its environment, while the fluid strokes generate a rhythmic flow that reinforces the impression of movement.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Munch Museum, where it remains on display. The work reflects Munch’s personal history of illness and loss, themes that continued to inform his artistic output throughout his life.
Context
By the late 1920s, Munch had moved beyond the stark symbolism of his early career, integrating post‑impressionist influences into his visual language. *Galloping White Horse* exemplifies this synthesis, merging his characteristic emotional intensity with a more open, naturalistic treatment of subject matter.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
