Two Human Beings (The Lonely Ones) 1894

Editor: Here we have Edvard Munch's "Two Human Beings (The Lonely Ones)," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's an etching, and it evokes such a sense of isolation despite the presence of two figures. What do you make of this emotionally charged scene? Curator: Munch's work often reflects the anxieties of his time. Consider the rise of individualism in the late 19th century and the concurrent feeling of alienation. Does the composition, with the figures separated and facing away, amplify this social commentary? Editor: That’s a good point! I was so focused on the personal feeling, but you're right, it speaks to something bigger. Curator: Exactly. Art is never created in a vacuum; it always reflects the society that produces it. Editor: I will certainly keep that in mind as I keep studying more art.