Inger in Black 1884

Edvard Munch painted 'Inger in Black' using oil on canvas, a medium that offered both tradition and expressive possibility. The material itself – thick, viscous oil paint – lends a palpable quality to the canvas. Munch's brushstrokes capture the somber mood, with layers of dark pigment applied to create depth and shadow, particularly in Inger's dress and the background. The materiality of the paint allows Munch to manipulate texture and form, imbuing the painting with a sense of quiet introspection. Oil paint also had a specific social significance at this time, and while not an industrial or absurdist material, it was associated with wealth and leisure, as well as an academic tradition. Its usage speaks volumes about Munch's artistic aspirations, situating him within a particular lineage of fine art. By emphasizing the materiality and production process, we recognize 'Inger in Black' as both a fine art and a product of a specific cultural and social context.