“Evening on Karl Johan Street” is an artwork by Edvard Munch, created in 1892. This oil on canvas painting is a quintessential example of the Expressionism movement. It measures 84.5 x 121 cm and falls under the genre painting category. This evocative piece is part of the Rasmus Meyer Collection and is located in Bergen, Norway.
The painting depicts a bustling street scene on Karl Johan Street in Oslo, Norway, during evening hours. Munch’s work is characterized by a sense of moody atmosphere and psychological depth. The use of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, reflecting the inner feelings and emotions of the figures depicted, rather than just their physical appearances. The figures in the foreground have ghostly white faces and seem to be staring directly at the viewer, creating an unsettling and haunting ambiance. The elongated forms and the manner in which the people are portrayed, with stylized and mask-like faces, are typical of the Expressionist style, which seeks to evoke emotional reactions rather than depict reality accurately. The artwork’s composition, color palette, and brushwork all contribute to the feeling of anxiety and alienation in the urban setting.
