Artwork
Reclining Woman and Standing African
Reclining Woman and Standing African 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
Created in 1916, *Reclining Woman and Standing African* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work resides in the permanent collection of the Munch Museum and exemplifies the post‑impressionist phase of Munch’s career, when he was turning his attention toward domestic scenes rendered with expressive color.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a woman reclined on a couch, her dark hair spilling over a white shirt as she rests her head on an arm. Adjacent to her stands a man in a dark suit, hands at his sides, his posture calm and attentive. The juxtaposition of the relaxed figure with the upright presence suggests a quiet, interpersonal intimacy rather than overt narrative drama.
Technique & Style
Munch employs loose, gestural brushwork that softens the outlines of both figures, while the palette juxtaposes a warm, yellow background with cooler tones on the bodies. The vivid coloration and fluid strokes generate a sense of immediacy, allowing the viewer to feel the quiet atmosphere without relying on detailed realism.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced during a period when Munch’s personal history of illness and familial loss informed his exploration of inner states. After its completion, the work entered the collection of the Munch Museum, where it has remained, providing insight into the artist’s shift from overt anxiety toward more subdued, domestic compositions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
