Artwork
Standing Female Nude
Standing Female Nude is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Stenersen Museum. Created in 1894, this oil painting presents a solitary nude woman standing in profile against a deep blue backdrop.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894, this oil painting presents a solitary nude woman standing in profile against a deep blue backdrop. The figure is rendered in muted, pale tones that contrast sharply with the dark background, emphasizing her presence and the quiet atmosphere of the work.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows the woman with her weight shifted onto her right leg, the left knee slightly bent, and her arms held close to her torso—right hand on the hip, left arm relaxed at her side. The pose suggests a moment of introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate the inner life of the sitter.
Technique & Style
Employing subtle chiaroscuro, the artist models the figure with gentle shading that conveys volume and flesh. The limited palette of soft, desaturated colors and the smooth handling of oil paint align the work with post‑impressionist concerns for mood and psychological depth rather than strict naturalism.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced by the Norwegian artist during his early career, shortly after his studies at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (now Oslo). It entered the collection of the Munch Museum, where it remains part of the permanent holdings.
Context
Created at a time when the artist was exploring themes of emotional turbulence and existential anxiety, the work reflects his broader interest in portraying inner states through simplified forms and restrained color, a hallmark of his late‑nineteenth‑century output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
