Man Bathing

Edvard Munch, 1899

MEDIUMColor woodcut from two blocks on grayish ivory card
DIMENSIONSImage: 44.4 × 44.4 cm (17 1/2 × 17 1/2 in.); Sheet: 48.7 × 66.2 cm (19 3/16 × 26 1/8 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONPrints and Drawings
CULTURENorway
CREDIT LINEClarence Buckingham Collection

This striking color woodcut by Edvard Munch, a master of Symbolism and Expressionism, captures a solitary figure in a moment of quiet introspection, showcasing his signature exploration of human emotion and nature.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

Edvard Munch's "Man Bathing" from 1899 is a powerful color woodcut that exemplifies the artist's deep engagement with themes of human emotion, nature, and the raw vulnerability of the individual. As a key figure in both Symbolism and Expressionism, Munch often explored the psychological landscapes of his subjects, and this work is no exception. While perhaps not as overtly dramatic as his iconic "The Scream" (1895) or as tender as "The Sick Child I" (1896), "Man Bathing" shares the same introspective quality and a profound connection to the human condition. The simplified forms and bold lines characteristic of woodcut printing allowed Munch to convey a sense of primal energy and emotional depth, aligning with his broader artistic practice seen in works like "Two Women on the Shore" (1898) and "Boys Bathing" (1896). This piece invites viewers to contemplate the solitude and perhaps the quiet contemplation of the figure within a natural setting, a recurring motif in Munch's oeuvre.

ART MOVEMENTS
ExpressionismSymbolism
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The bold, simplified lines of the woodcut.

2

The figure's contemplative pose and downward gaze.

3

The interplay of light and shadow on the body.

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Audio Deep Dive

This striking color woodcut by Edvard Munch, a master of Symbolism and Expressionism, captures a solitary figure in a moment of quiet introspection, showcasing…

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THE ARTIST
Edvard Munch 1863–1944 · Norway

Norwegian painter whose 1893 work The Scream became one of Western art's most iconic images.

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