Artwork
Woman in Grey
Woman in Grey is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1924, *Woman in Grey* is an oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work portrays Birgit Prestøe, dressed in a long grey coat with a fur collar, standing indoors. It is part of the Munch Museum’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures a solitary figure, her hair pulled back and her gaze directed outward, suggesting introspection. The muted palette and soft interior lighting emphasize a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, aligning with Munch’s interest in psychological depth.
Technique & Style
Munch employs loose, sketch‑like brushwork that conveys immediacy, while the overall composition reflects post‑impressionist tendencies. The limited colour range is punctuated by the warm tones of the fur trim and the subject’s skin, creating subtle contrast.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo, where it remains on display. Munch’s training at the Royal School of Art and Design in Oslo informed the development of his expressive, emotionally charged style.
Context
The work belongs to the later phase of Munch’s career, when he revisited portraiture with a focus on interior settings and personal subjects. It reflects the broader post‑impressionist movement’s shift toward individual perception and mood over strict realism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
