Artwork
Model with Hat and Coat
Model with Hat and Coat is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Model with Hat and Coat is a 1916 oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, featuring a portrait of Frøydis Mjølstad. Characterized by expressive brushwork and a somber palette, the work aligns with post-impressionist tendencies.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Frøydis Mjølstad, is depicted in a formal, dark outfit against a vibrant, abstract background. Her neutral yet serious expression and poised stance convey a sense of introspective solemnity, typical of Munch's psychologically charged portrayals.
Technique & Style
Munch employed bold, expressive brushstrokes and a contrasting color scheme (dark attire set against a multicolored, abstract backdrop) to create a sense of intensity. The overall style reflects his emphasis on emotional and psychological depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1916, the painting is part of the collection at the Munch Museum, Oslo. Munch's artistic training at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania influenced his development of a distinctive, emotionally expressive style.
Context
Painted during a period marked by global turmoil (WWI), the work's somber tone may reflect the broader mood of the time, though it is more closely tied to Munch's personal explorations of human psychology and emotion.
Legacy
While not as widely recognized as some of Munch's other works (e.g., The Scream), Model with Hat and Coat contributes to the understanding of his post-impressionist approach to portraiture and his continued exploration of the human condition.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
