Artwork
Paul Herrmann and Paul Contard
Paul Herrmann and Paul Contard is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1899, this oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch portrays two seated figures, Paul Herrmann and Paul Contard. The composition is restrained, set against a muted backdrop of blues, grays and whites. Both sit in simple attire—a white shirt under a dark jacket for Herrmann, and a dark jacket for Contard—emphasizing their presence over decorative detail.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents the two men in a direct, unembellished manner, allowing their expressions and posture to convey a quiet psychological tension. Munch’s interest in interior emotional states is evident in the subdued palette and the lack of narrative props, suggesting a focus on the individuals’ inner lives rather than external circumstance.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting reflects Munch’s post‑impressionist leanings, employing loose brushwork and a limited colour range to create atmosphere. The background’s blended blues, grays and whites recede, while the figures are rendered with modest detail, illustrating the artist’s preference for mood over precise realism.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the portrait entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. The painting forms part of Munch’s broader oeuvre from the late 1890s, a period marked by his studies at Kristiania’s Royal School of Art and Design and his involvement with contemporary literary circles.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
