Artwork
Two Women by the veranda Steps
Two Women by the veranda Steps is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1942 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Though less known than his earlier pieces, it reflects his sustained interest in human presence and quiet domestic moments.
Painted in 1942, *Two Women by the Veranda Steps* is one of Edvard Munch’s later works, executed in oil on canvas. Though less known than his earlier pieces, it reflects his sustained interest in human presence and quiet domestic moments. The painting belongs to the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it is preserved as part of his extensive oeuvre spanning decades of personal and artistic evolution.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays two women standing near the steps of a veranda, their postures suggesting an unspoken, intimate exchange. Their identities are not specified, and their faces remain deliberately indistinct, shifting focus from individual likeness to the atmosphere of shared stillness. Munch often used such figures to evoke emotional resonance rather than narrative, inviting viewers to sense the unspoken tension or calm between them.
Technique & Style
Munch employed bold, textured brushwork and a vivid, non-naturalistic palette—blue, red, green, yellow, and orange—to structure the scene. The colors are applied with energetic strokes that define form through hue and movement rather than precise detail. This approach aligns with his post-impressionist tendencies, prioritizing emotional impact over realism, and reflects his lifelong experimentation with color as a vehicle for psychological expression.
History & Provenance
Created during Munch’s final years, the painting was retained within his personal collection until his death in 1944. Following his will, the majority of his works were bequeathed to the city of Oslo, forming the core of the Munch Museum’s holdings. *Two Women by the Veranda Steps* entered the museum’s collection as part of this bequest, preserving its connection to the artist’s private world and late-period output.
Context
By the 1940s, Munch had long moved beyond the existential dread of *The Scream*, turning toward quieter, more observational scenes of everyday life. Though still influenced by his early associations with philosophical circles like those around Hans Jæger, his later works often reflect a contemplative engagement with solitude and companionship. This painting emerges from a period of relative isolation, yet it reveals a sustained curiosity in human interaction.
Legacy
While not among Munch’s most widely exhibited works, *Two Women by the Veranda Steps* contributes to understanding the breadth of his later practice. It demonstrates his enduring commitment to capturing mood through color and gesture, even as his subject matter softened. The painting remains a quiet testament to his lifelong exploration of emotional nuance, offering insight into how his vision evolved beyond trauma toward subtler forms of presence.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
