The artwork titled “Christmas in the Brothel” was created by the expressionist artist Edvard Munch between 1904 and 1905. This genre painting is executed in oil on canvas and measures 60 x 88 cm. The work is characteristic of the Expressionism movement and is housed in the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway, where it is part of a significant collection dedicated to the artist’s oeuvre.
The artwork presents a candid scene set within a brothel, which is illustrated with Munch’s unique expressionist style that conveys emotional resonance rather than photorealistic depiction. The central figure appears to be a woman seated and engrossed in reading a book, her face painted with visible brushstrokes that emphasize her features in a manner that underscores the psychological intensity of the scene. Behind her, a shadowy figure emerges from the dark background, suggesting a mood of isolation and melancholy despite the suggested festive occasion implied by the title. Other figures and elements may blend into the setting, their forms somewhat indistinct, contributing to the somber atmosphere and further illustrating Munch’s preoccupation with complex human emotions and the darker aspects of the human experience.