Inger in a Red Dress 1896

Curator: Here we have Edvard Munch's "Inger in a Red Dress." What strikes you first about it? Editor: It’s kind of joyful, isn't it? Not what I usually associate with Munch. The colors are softer, almost dreamy. Curator: It is a departure from his more angst-ridden pieces. Note how the red of Inger's dress almost vibrates against the blues and greens of the landscape. Red, often a symbol of passion or danger, here feels tempered. Editor: It's like she's a part of nature, not set against it. The brushstrokes are loose, the figure almost dissolving into the scene. Curator: Indeed. Inger, Munch's sister, often appears in his work. This is one of the more serene depictions, free from the psychological intensity we see elsewhere. It suggests a connection with nature, a sense of belonging. Editor: A quieter Munch. A breath of fresh air, really. I’m glad we lingered here a moment.