Metabolism 1898 - 1899

Edvard Munch rendered Metabolism with oil on canvas, a process that allowed him to build up layers of meaning through texture and color. Munch’s brushstrokes are visible, almost frantic, which contributes to the painting’s raw emotional intensity. The use of oil paint allowed him to blend colors and create a sense of depth, but also to leave the marks of its application clearly visible. The figures are not seamlessly rendered; the process of painting is evident. The application of paint becomes part of the subject, a visual metaphor for the emotional and psychological states of the figures, and the broader human condition. Munch's approach elevates the act of painting to a central role, challenging the traditional hierarchy between subject and execution. It invites viewers to consider not just what is depicted, but how the work was made, recognizing the labor, the medium, and the methods as integral to the artwork's meaning.