Artwork
Tulla Larsen
Tulla Larsen is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1900, *Tulla Larsen* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Executed during his post‑impressionist phase, the work portrays a young woman against a two‑toned backdrop and is part of the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents Tulla Larsen, a woman of the early twentieth‑century Norwegian social circle, standing with her torso forward and her head turned slightly to the right. Her short, curly hair, high‑necked dark dress, and clasped hands convey a restrained, introspective demeanor, inviting contemplation of personal identity and emotional reserve.
Technique & Style
Munch employs loose, expressive brushwork that animates both the figure and the background. The dress and surrounding space are rendered with vigorous strokes, while the left side of the backdrop glows in yellow‑orange and the right in green. This bold coloration and dynamic handling reflect the artist’s post‑impressionist interest in conveying psychological tension through visual means.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted shortly after Munch’s formative years at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania and his involvement with contemporary radical thinkers. Since its creation, the painting has remained in Norway, ultimately entering the collection of the Munch Museum, where it is displayed alongside other works from the artist’s early career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
