Artwork
Standing Nude: Evening
Standing Nude: Evening is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1922, *Standing Nude: Evening* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work is part of the Munch Museum’s collection and belongs to the later phase of Munch’s career, when his approach was aligned with post‑impressionist tendencies toward expressive color and form.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a nude female figure, identified as Annie Fjeldbu, seen from behind. She stands before a window, her head turned slightly to the right, arms relaxed at her sides. The composition suggests a moment of introspection, the figure appearing absorbed in quiet thought.
Technique & Style
Munch employs bold, gestural brushwork to model the woman's skin, emphasizing the contrast of light and shadow. The background is rendered in muted, earthy tones that recede, allowing the luminous flesh to dominate the visual field. The handling of paint reflects Munch’s focus on emotional resonance over strict realism.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it remains on display. The work reflects Munch’s mature period following his formal training at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (now Oslo).
Context
*Standing Nude: Evening* was produced during a time when Munch was consolidating his reputation for exploring psychological states through color and line. The piece aligns with his broader interest in the human figure as a vehicle for expressing inner experience, a concern that runs through his earlier, more famous works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
