One of Edvard Munch’s most famous works is Madonna, which was created in various forms between 1892 and 1895. The image of the Madonna can be found in print forms, such as lithographs, and oils on canvas. This painting stands out as one of the most provocative images in Munch’s oeuvre due to its unique characteristics of expressionism.
The gestures in Munch’s Madonna hint at victimization and have a long history in Western art. Interestingly, Munch’s Madonna toes the line between sensational and spiritual, defying preceding representations of the Virgin Mary. It is imbued with characteristics specific to expressionism art style but deviates from typical religious imagery.
Additionally, Lithography made it possible for this painting to reach a wider audience since more copies could be distributed. It is part of The Frieze of Life; a poem about love, anxiety, and death that explores different aspects or stages of life. As analyzed by critics, all works within The Frieze focus on human experiences shared by everybody at some point during their lives.
In conclusion, Edvard Munch’s portrayal of Madonna shows his creative use of symbols in artwork intended to convey emotional states experienced through personal struggles or moments universal to everyone. His decision not to depict with common religious imagery demanded attention from audiences wanting something new during his time – something beyond just what tradition dictated beauty should look like but also how it should feel inside one’s soul when contemplated upon.
