Artwork
Jealousy Motif
Jealousy Motif 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, *Jealousy Motif* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Executed in a post‑impressionist idiom, the work is part of the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo. It reflects Munch’s lifelong preoccupation with inner states and interpersonal tension.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a confrontational scene between two figures. A man, rendered in vivid yellow, displays a twisted, envious expression, while a woman in a white dress with a green‑toned head appears to be drawn away, her features concealed. The composition suggests a moment of emotional rupture, emphasizing the corrosive nature of jealousy.
Technique & Style
Munch employs bold, expressive brushwork that foregrounds color as an emotional cue. The stark contrast between the saturated yellows and greens against the muted background heightens the psychological charge. The painter’s handling of form is loose, allowing the figures to dissolve into the surrounding space, a hallmark of his later style.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Munch Museum, where it remains on display. The work was produced during a prolific period for Munch, following his earlier fame for *The Scream* and other psychologically driven pieces.
Context
*Jealousy Motif* belongs to Munch’s broader exploration of human anxiety, a theme he pursued throughout his career. The piece aligns with the post‑impressionist movement’s interest in subjective experience, using color and distortion to convey inner turmoil rather than realistic representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
