Puberty (1914–16)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Puberty" by Edvard Munch is a striking and emotive piece that captures the essence of adolescence. The painting depicts a young girl sitting naked on the edge of a bed, her body posed in a somewhat tense and self-protective manner, with her hands crossed over her knees and her legs closely pressed together. Her expression seems introspective and perhaps laden with the uncertainties and anxieties typical of the transition into adulthood.One of the most compelling aspects of the painting is the use of shadowy figures, particularly the dark, ominous shape looming behind the girl. This shadow could symbolize the unknown or the pressures and fears associated with growing up. The background is vividly colored with patches of reds, blues, and greens, contrasting sharply with the central figure’s vulnerability.Munch's brushwork is loose and expressive, which adds to the emotional depth of the piece. The raw and honest portrayal invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences of puberty and the universal feelings of change and development. The painting is not just about physical growth, but also about the mental and emotional shifts that occur during this pivotal life stage.
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Edvard Munch (12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter. His best known work, The Scream (1893), has become one of Western art's most iconic images.
His childhood was overshadowed by illness, bereavement and the dread of inheriting a mental condition that ran in the family. Studying at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (today's Oslo), Munch began to live a bohemian life under the influence of the nihilist Hans Jæger, who urged him to paint his own emotional and psychological state ('soul painting'); from this emerged his distinctive style.