A Boat Tied to a Pier 1892

Edvard Munch created this watercolor of a boat tied to a pier. The stark luminosity of the moon in this image, a symbol that has traversed epochs, evokes profound contemplation. Throughout art history, the moon is often associated with femininity, cycles, and the subconscious, but also with madness, such as in the word "lunatic," derived from "luna," the Latin name for the moon. Consider the ancient Greek goddess Selene, who drove her moon chariot across the night sky. The moon's ethereal light has captivated artists and poets for centuries, often representing introspection, dreams, and hidden emotions. Munch masterfully uses the moon to evoke a somber mood, amplified by the dark shadows that dominate the scene, speaking to the viewer on a subconscious level. In its cyclical nature, the moon reminds us of the past's ever-present influence, always resurfacing, transformed yet familiar.