Edvard Munch: Color in Context

This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.

In the second half of the 19th century, advances in physics, electromagnetic radiation theory, and the optical sciences provoked new thought about the physical as well as the spiritual world. Aspects of that thought are revealed in Edvard Munch: Color in Context, an exhibition of 21 prints that considers the choice, combinations, and meaning of color in light of spiritualist principles. Informed by both popular manuals that explained the science of color and theosophical writings on the visual and physical power of color, Edvard Munch (1863–1944) created works that are not just strikingly personal, but charged with specific associations.

The exhibition is curated by Jonathan Bober, Andrew W. Mellon Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings, department of prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, and Mollie Berger, curatorial assistant, department of prints and drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington.

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Edvard Munch: Color in Context

Edvard Munch, Girl with the Heart, 1899, color woodcut, National Gallery of Art, Washington, The Epstein Family Collection, given by their children, David, James, Richard, Miles and Sarah Carianne, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.32.1

Edvard Munch: Color in Context

Edvard Munch, Madonna, 1895, color lithograph, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of The Epstein Family Collection, 2015.5.1

Edvard Munch: Color in Context

Edvard Munch, Man's Head in Woman's Hair, 1896, color woodcut, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Rosenwald Collection, 1944.14.60

Edvard Munch: Color in Context

Edvard Munch, Old Man Praying, 1902, color woodcut, Epstein Family Collection

Edvard Munch: Color in Context

Edvard Munch, The Kiss in the Field, 1943, color woodcut touched with oil paint, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2007.75.1

Edvard Munch: Color in Context

Edvard Munch, Girl's Head Against the Shore, 1899, color woodcut, Epstein Family Collection

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Organization: The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Attendance: 135,784