Madonna

Originally created between 1894 and 1895, this work is one of Munch’s most iconic compositions, of which he produced five painted versions and several lithographic prints on the same theme.

The painting departs from traditional and chaste representations of the Virgin Mary, portraying the female figure in a moment of passion or surrender. The alternative title sometimes used by the artist was “Woman to Love”. It is a striking example of Expressionism, characterized by the use of intense colors and fluid forms that evoke deep emotional states.

It shows a half-length nude woman with dark hair and a red halo, which some interpret as a symbol of love and pain. Lithographic versions usually included a decorative border with spermatozoa and a fetus.

The original versions can be found in institutions such as the Munch Museum and the National Gallery of Norway, both in Oslo, as well as the Kunsthalle in Hamburg.