Edvard Munch

Few Nordic artists have had such profound international significance as Edvard Munch. Even today, we can be fascinated by him and his works, just as his contemporaries were, as he innovatively revolutionised the way he portrayed his subjects. Like van Gogh, he stands as one of the founders of Expressionism. His influence has been strongest in Scandinavia and Germany, and his individuality emerged early in his works, characterised by the experiences of a sensitive soul and personal encounters, rendered with great intensity. The often deep existential meanings of the subjects frequently reflect psychological states.

"Summer Night / Inger by the Shore" is a sketch for an oil painting of the same name and depicts Munch's sister Inger, sitting alone on a rock by the shore in Åsgårdstrand, the Norwegian coastal setting that became central to Munch's artistic career. It is a summer night with a gentle light that creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Munch executed this work around 1889 and it is an early piece by the artist. This was a period when he began to explore a symbolist and psychologically charged expression, which can be discerned in Inger's quiet and contemplative pose.