“Street, Lafayette” is a painting by Edvard Munch, created in 1891 during his time in Paris, France. This oil on canvas work is associated with the Impressionist movement. Measuring 92 x 73 cm, it is a genre painting, which means it depicts scenes of everyday life. The piece is housed in the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway.
The painting portrays a view of a bustling city street from an elevated perspective. A well-dressed gentleman stands on a balcony, leaning over the railing to gaze at the scene below. The street is filled with the movement of people and carriages, capturing the vibrancy and the rush of city life. The brushwork is loose and energetic, echoing the Impressionist style, which emphasizes the depiction of light and its changing qualities. The colors are relatively muted yet warm, conveying the atmosphere of a sunny day. The balcony’s ornate ironwork adds a touch of elegance to the foreground, contrasting with the more dynamic and fluid rendering of the figures and activities below. Munch’s signature can be seen on the lower right of the painting, indicating its authenticity and authorship.
