Artwork
Sunbathing
Sunbathing is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1920, *Sunbathing* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work portrays a seaside scene in which several figures recline on the sand, bathed in bright sunlight. It is currently housed in the Munch Museum, forming part of the institution’s core holdings of the artist’s later output.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Ingeborg Kaurin, shown lying on her stomach while another woman sits upright, gazing toward the viewer. The composition conveys a leisurely atmosphere, with the open sky and distant hills suggesting a tranquil, contemplative moment away from everyday concerns.
Technique & Style
Munch employs a post‑impressionist palette of vivid yellows, oranges, and greens, applied with loose, energetic brushwork. The bold coloration and fluid strokes generate a sense of movement and light, while the simplified forms emphasize the emotional tone rather than precise detail.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Munch Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s effort to assemble a comprehensive representation of Munch’s work from the early twentieth century.
Context
The piece emerges from a period when Munch was deeply engaged with his bohemian circle in Kristiania, exploring psychological states through visual means. His personal history of illness and loss informed a broader artistic focus on inner experience, which is evident in the painting’s mood and color choices.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
