Naken mann vasker føttene c. 1925

Edvard Munch made this pastel drawing, "Naken mann vasker føttene," or "Naked Man Washing his Feet," likely in Norway, sometime between 1900 and 1944. It depicts a male nude, bent over a basin, seemingly engaged in the act of washing. Munch was a key figure in the Expressionist movement, and his work often explored themes of anxiety, illness, and death. This piece diverges somewhat from his more iconic, angst-ridden works like "The Scream." Here, the raw and somewhat unfinished quality of the pastel drawing could be seen as a reflection of the artist's interest in capturing fleeting moments of everyday life. The focus on a solitary, intimate act raises questions about the representation of the human body, as well as the male nude in art at this time. Art historians studying Munch often consult his diaries and letters for insights into his artistic process and the social context in which he worked. Studying the work of his contemporaries, and examining the cultural institutions that exhibited his work, would also provide a richer understanding of the painting's meaning.