Sittende akt 1920 - 1925

Edvard Munch created this nude, in watercolor on paper, using quick, diluted strokes of color. The fluidity of the watercolor gives the painting an ethereal quality, as the figure almost seems to dissolve into the white of the paper. This technique allows for a blending of the figure with its surroundings, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The processes are deceptively simple, but it's important to remember the historical context. Before the advent of modern art supplies, even something as seemingly basic as watercolor paint required time and effort to produce. Pigments had to be sourced, ground, and mixed with a binding agent. Paper had to be carefully prepared to receive the paint. It's easy to overlook these material realities, but they were very much part of the artist's everyday life. Considering the materials and making of Sittende akt, we are reminded that even the most seemingly effortless works of art are the product of labor and skill. By understanding the significance of these things, we can appreciate the work on a deeper level, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.