Around the Paraffin Lamp 1883

Edvard Munch made "Around the Paraffin Lamp" using oil paint, a material that's been central to Western art for centuries. But here, it's not about high finish or illusion. Instead, Munch’s loose brushwork and murky palette reflect a modern, almost gritty sensibility. The painting's material qualities – its texture, weight, and somber coloration – are essential to its atmosphere. You can almost feel the oppressive weight of the scene, sense the isolation. Look closely, and you see how Munch applied the paint in layers, building up a sense of depth, but also of claustrophobia. This approach to painting, where the physical properties of the oil itself convey so much meaning, aligns Munch with a broader trend in modern art – a focus on the “how” as much as the “what” of representation. This was a radical move away from the academic painting of his day, and a move towards a more direct expression of human experience. By embracing the materiality of paint, Munch invites us to consider the social and emotional textures of modern life.