In a Man's Brain

c. 1897

Edvard Munch

Associated Names
Edvard Munch

Artist, Norwegian, 1863 - 1944

This painting shows wavy lines surrounding a face with simple angular features. The face is at the bottom of the painting, and the lines seem to come from it like hair. Above the face is a shape resembling a woman swimming or diving into the water, her arms stretched towards the right and her feet on the left. The background is a solid orange-brown color. Below the painting is a line of text.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

The image shows a series of undulating, wavy lines and curves creating an abstract design. The central form resembles the silhouette of a reclining human figure, elongated and flowing with the surrounding lines. Below this form, there is a structure that resembles a face with distinct horizontal features suggesting eyes and a nose. The composition is set against a warm reddish-orange backdrop, evoking the impression of organic shapes or a landscape with flowing patterns enveloping the central figure.

In the Man's Brain (I mannens gjerne)

Edvard Munch

1897

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Kaare Berntsen, Oslo); purchased 2000 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2004

  • Six Centuries of Prints and Drawings: Recent Acquisitions, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2004 - 2005

2006

  • Edvard Munch: the modern life of the soul, Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2006, no. 58.

Inscriptions

by the artist, in black ink across center: HANTAENKTE PA HAENDES NOGNE LEGEME [He was thinking of her naked body]

Wikidata ID

Q64557001

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