Edvard Munch’s painting “Death of Marat I,” created in 1907, is an oil on canvas work that falls within the Expressionism movement. The painting measures 150 x 200 cm and can be classified as a history painting. This artwork is part of the collection at the Munch Museum located in Oslo, Norway.
The artwork dramatizes the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a revolutionary figure during the French Revolution. In Munch’s rendition, the scene is depicted with intense emotion and expressionistic style. Marat’s lifeless body is presented lying on his side, his skin pale and marked by patches of color and visible brushstrokes that convey a sense of turmoil. A prominent figure, possibly representing Charlotte Corday, who historically murdered Marat, stands in the foreground. She is nude, with a solemn expression on her face, and her presence adds an enigmatic quality to the scene. Her physical openness contrasts starkly with the demise of Marat, whose body is wrapped in a shroud-like garment, enhancing the sense of vulnerability and tragedy. Beside Marat, a black object, possibly a bag or clothing, adorned with a bright yellow element and circular shapes, lays on the ground, adding to the composition’s dramatic and chaotic atmosphere. The background is abstract, with swirling colors that might evoke the tumultuous political environment of the time. Overall, Munch’s expressive use of color and brushwork evokes a poignant emotional response, imbuing the historical scene with a sense of contemporary urgency and psychological depth.
