Edvard Munch is predominantly recognized for his captivating paintings, yet he was also among the early artists to explore the realm of amateur photography. Upon his passing in 1944, Munch left behind 183 photographs, providing us with a fascinating glimpse into his artistic journey.
The theme of Marat’s portrayal in a bathtub was significant for Munch, as he drew parallels between the life of the French revolutionary leader and his own experiences. Although the tale of Marat’s murder by Charlotte Corday has only a distant connection to Munch’s tumultuous relationship with Tulla Larsen, it certainly resonated with Munch’s symbolic perspective. Tulla’s story is not marked by drama; she simply departed from Munch to marry his younger associate.
Edvard Munch embarked on his photography journey in 1902, acquiring a Kodak Bull’s-Eye no. 2, one of the most popular amateur cameras of that time. This user-friendly device marked the beginning of his exploration into this art form.
To capture his own likeness, Munch had to press the shutter button himself, necessitating that he positioned himself quite close to the camera.
The characteristics of Munch’s photography, such as distortions, multiple exposures (evident in the photo featuring Rosa Meissner), and intentional blurriness, captivated him and sparked his interest in the medium.
Munch regarded photography as an equally significant artistic endeavor as painting. In an article for the Norwegian magazine Kunst og Kultur, he expressed that “mechanical production accomplished by a discerning hand can yield impressive outcomes.”
From the outset, Munch focused primarily on self-portraits, categorizing them into two main types: those taken inside his studio while posing with his artwork and those captured outdoors, where he would hold the camera at arm’s length, akin to the modern concept of a “selfie.”
<p“photography has taught me a great deal…” remarked edvard munch in the twilight years of his life. post-1926, self-portraits exhibited newfound formal finesse reminiscent avant-garde german photography trends burgeoning during that period. these later years, even experimented with creating short amateur films.
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