Artwork
Uphill with a Sledge
Uphill with a Sledge is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1910, *Uphill with a Sledge* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work shows a solitary figure hauling a loaded sled up a snow‑covered slope, set against a stark winter landscape of trees and ground blanketed in white. It is part of the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a lone individual struggling against the incline, suggesting themes of perseverance and the weight of burdens. The dark attire of the figure contrasts with the bright snow, emphasizing the effort required to move forward despite an oppressive environment.
Technique & Style
Munch employs vigorous brushwork and a vivid palette to convey motion and tension. The application of bold strokes creates a sense of immediacy, while the exaggerated colors heighten the emotional charge, aligning the piece with the post‑impressionist tendency toward expressive, psychological content.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced after Munch’s formative years at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania and his involvement with contemporary radical circles. Since its creation, it has remained in Norway, ultimately entering the permanent holdings of the Munch Museum, where it is displayed among the artist’s later works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
