Artwork
Hodman on the Ladder
Hodman on the Ladder 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, *Hodman on the Ladder* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work is part of the Munch Museum’s collection and reflects the post‑impressionist phase of Munch’s career, a period when he turned his attention to everyday labor scenes while maintaining his characteristic focus on interior emotional states.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a solitary figure ascending a ladder, his back turned toward the viewer, dressed in a blue shirt and white trousers, and balancing a load on his head. Behind him, two additional workers stand on a platform, one also bearing a load. The quiet, methodical activity suggests a meditation on toil, responsibility, and the rhythm of communal work.
Technique & Style
Munch employs bold, expressive brushstrokes that give the forms a tactile quality, while the palette of red and blue backgrounds contrasts with the more subdued tones of the ladder and platform. The vivid coloration and textured surface draw attention to the central hodman, creating depth and emphasizing the physicality of the scene without resorting to detailed realism.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it remains on display. It was produced during a prolific period for Munch, following his earlier, more symbolically charged works such as *The Scream*, and illustrates his shift toward depicting ordinary laborers in a modern context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
