Artwork
Meeting in Space
Meeting in Space is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1925, *Meeting in Space* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work depicts two elongated figures immersed in water, their forms rendered in a relaxed, floating posture. Dominated by muted blues and greens, the composition conveys a tranquil yet ambiguous atmosphere, characteristic of Munch’s later explorations of space and presence.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents two bodies intertwined with the surrounding water, suggesting a dialogue between human figures and their environment. The relaxed poses and seamless blending of flesh with liquid evoke themes of connection, dissolution of boundaries, and perhaps an introspective contemplation of relational space, aligning with Munch’s ongoing interest in psychological states.
Technique & Style
Munch employs loose, expressive brushwork that imparts a sense of movement and fluidity. The soft palette of blues and greens, applied in broad, gestural strokes, creates a muted tonal harmony. This approach reflects his post‑impressionist phase, where color and line serve emotional resonance rather than strict representation.
History & Provenance
*Meeting in Space* entered the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it remains on display. The work forms part of Munch’s extensive output after his early Symbolist period, illustrating his continued evolution toward abstracted forms and psychological content during the 1920s.
Context
The painting emerges from a period when Munch, influenced by his early studies at the Royal School of Art and Design and his association with radical thinkers, was shifting from overtly narrative scenes to more ambiguous, interior explorations. This work exemplifies his late style, where spatial ambiguity and emotive color dominate the visual field.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
