“The Three Stages of Woman (Sphinx),” painted by Edvard Munch in 1894, is an oil on canvas artwork representative of the Symbolism art movement. The painting measures 164 by 250 centimeters and belongs to the genre of symbolic painting. The artwork is housed in the Rasmus Meyer Collection located in Bergen, Norway. It reflects the Symbolist interest in themes of existence, psychology, and human emotion.
The artwork presents a haunting visual narrative exploring the concept of femininity and the passage of life through three female figures. On the left, there is a figure in a long white gown with her back turned to the viewer, possibly representing innocence or the beginnings of life. In the center stands a nude woman, expressionistically depicted with her hands behind her head, in a pose that could signify the fullness and vulnerability of maturity. On the right, there is a cloaked figure accompanying a near-transparent figure, suggesting the final stages of life or even death. The interplay of vibrant and muted colors along with the juxtaposition of the different life stages creates a deeply evocative and introspective piece, which is characteristic of Munch’s work and Symbolist art.
