Artwork
Weeping Nude
Weeping Nude is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1913, *Weeping Nude* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work portrays a solitary female figure seated on a red sofa, her head bowed and hair obscuring her face, conveying a sense of private sorrow. The canvas is part of the permanent collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Ingeborg Kaurin, rendered in a vulnerable pose that emphasizes emotional withdrawal. By concealing her features and positioning her arms protectively, Munch suggests an interiorized grief, aligning with his broader interest in the psychological dimensions of human experience.
Technique & Style
Munch employs a loose, expressive brushwork that leaves the strokes visible, lending the surface a tactile, almost unfinished quality. The palette contrasts pale flesh tones with darker hair and a richly colored couch, while the surrounding pink‑purple backdrop adds a muted, atmospheric glow typical of his post‑impressionist phase.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the artist’s estate and was later transferred to the Munch Museum, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces directly to Munch’s own collection, ensuring an unbroken chain of ownership within the institution dedicated to his oeuvre.
Context
*Weeping Nude* emerges during a period when Munch intensified his exploration of solitude and melancholy, themes evident in earlier works such as *The Scream*. The 1910s marked a shift toward more intimate, psychologically charged portraiture, reflecting both personal loss and the broader cultural anxieties of pre‑World War I Europe.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
