Paper

Student Artwork Guide

The sick child 02

Edvard Munch, 1885

Name Class Date
Edvard Munch, The sick child 02 (1885). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Edvard Munch originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/edvard-munch/
Artist’s dates
1863 – 1944
Painted
1885
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Movement
Expressionism Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness.
Period
19th Century
Influences
Personal experience (loss of sister), Symbolism
Notable elements
Depiction of a sick girl and her worried mother; inspired by Munch's sister Sophie’s death from tuberculosis.
Style
Expressionist
Subject
Portrait, illness, grief

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Edvard Munch died in 1944; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2014.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch Part 1 · The artwork

In context

The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920
  8. 1930
  9. 1940

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 81 at death.

Painted when the artist was 22. The artist lived to 81. 16 of the 410 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Edvard Munch (1863–1944) ▲ this work, 1885 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1893 Main working years: 1893–1908 Late works: from 1908

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

  • The Scream, 1893 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-scream-8XXU48-en/
  • Melancholy, 1894 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-melancholy-8XXU3N-en/
  • Madonna, 1894 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-madonna-8YDETZ-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/edvard-munch-the-sick-child-02-6WHK7S-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Quinacridone Magenta #716552

    Catalogued palette

    • #716552
    • #C0B7A6
    • #9D907C
    • #554333

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Quinacridone Magenta
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Edvard Munch over the last twelve months — 87 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 24.4%
    2. 2 Spain 14.4%
    3. 3 France 8.7%
    4. 4 United States of America 5.9%
    5. 5 Singapore 4.2%
    6. 6 Hong Kong 4.1%
    7. 7 Italy 3.6%
    8. 8 Brazil 3.2%
    9. 9 Japan 2.4%
    10. 10 Germany 1.8%
    11. · 77 other countries 27.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Edvard Munch

    1. 1 The Scream, 1893 27.8%
    2. 2 Madonna, 1894 8.0%
    3. 3 Melancholy, 1894 6.7%
    4. 4 Near the bed of death (fever), 1915 2.0%
    5. 5 The Child and Death, 1899 1.8%
    6. 6 Kiss, 1897 1.3%
    7. 7 Ashes, 1894 1.1%
    8. 8 Girls on the Pier, 1904 1.0%
    9. 9 The Day After, 1895 1.0%
    10. 10 Christmas in the Brothel, 1905 0.9%
    11. 11 Jealousy, 1895 0.9%
    12. 12 The Dance of Life, 1899 0.7%
    13. 13 The Girls on the Bridge, 1901 0.7%
    14. 14 Madonna, 1894 0.7%
    15. 15 Man and Woman I, 1905 0.6%
    16. 16 Self-Portrait, 1895 0.5%
    17. 17 Cree (casein on cardboard) 2, 1893 0.5%
    18. 18 Jealousy, 1907 0.5%
    19. 19 To the Forest, 1897 0.4%
    20. 90 The sick child 02, 1885 this painting 0.2%

    Together these works take 57.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 629 works by this artist, of which 476 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 90 of them, with 0.2% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch

    A Window into Grief: Exploring Edvard Munch’s ‘The Sick Child 02’

    Created between 1885 and 1886, *The Sick Child 02* is a profoundly moving early masterpiece by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. This painting isn't merely a depiction of illness; it’s a visceral exploration of loss, anxiety, and the enduring power of memory – themes that would come to define his groundbreaking artistic career.

    Subject & Historical Context

    The artwork portrays a young girl lying in bed, attended by a figure widely believed to be her mother. The scene is deeply personal, rooted in Munch’s own tragic childhood experiences. His beloved sister, Sophie, succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of fifteen, an event that left an indelible mark on the artist's psyche. This painting, and its earlier iteration, served as a direct response to this trauma, functioning almost as a memorial and a desperate attempt to grapple with overwhelming grief.

    Style & Technique: The Dawn of Expressionism

    *The Sick Child 02* is considered a pivotal work in the development of Expressionism. While still exhibiting elements of Realism, Munch departs from strict representation to prioritize emotional impact. His brushwork is loose and agitated, conveying a sense of unease and psychological turmoil. The limited color palette – dominated by somber blues, greens, and muted reds – reinforces the melancholic atmosphere. Notice how the figures aren’t sharply defined; they seem to blend into their surroundings, mirroring the blurring of reality experienced during periods of intense sorrow.

    Symbolism & Emotional Resonance

    The painting is rich in symbolic meaning. The sickly pallor of the child, contrasted with the worried expression of her mother, speaks volumes about vulnerability and helplessness. The darkened room suggests isolation and impending doom. Munch doesn’t simply show us a sick girl; he conveys the suffocating weight of grief and the fear of loss. The composition itself – the diagonal line created by the bed and figures – creates a sense of instability and imbalance, mirroring the emotional state of those depicted.

    Legacy & Influence

    The Sick Child 02 wasn’t immediately embraced upon its initial exhibition; it was criticized for its perceived lack of finish. However, it proved to be a crucial stepping stone in Munch's artistic journey, paving the way for his later, more radical explorations of the human condition. It profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists, particularly those associated with the German Expressionist movement, who sought to express inner emotions rather than objective reality.

    Collecting & Display

    This painting is currently housed at the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo, Norway.

    Its intimate scale and emotionally charged subject matter make it a compelling addition to both private collections and curated gallery spaces.

    When considering placement within an interior design scheme, *The Sick Child 02* pairs well with muted color palettes and textural elements that enhance its somber mood. It can serve as a powerful focal point in a study, library, or contemplative living area.

    Owning a reproduction of this iconic work allows you to connect with Munch’s profound exploration of the human experience and bring a piece of art history into your home.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Edvard Munch

    Born in Adelsbruk, Sweden

    A Life Shaped by Loss

    Edvard Munch arrived in the world in 1863, born into the stark landscapes of Norway. His early years were defined by a heavy presence of grief that would later find its way onto his canvases. The deaths of his mother and his sister, Sophie, both taken by tuberculosis, left a deep mark on his young mind. These losses created a preoccupation with mortality and the fragility of life that stayed with him forever. He grew up in a household where the shadows of sickness were never far away.

    His father, Christian, was a physician who struggled with intense religious devotion and mental instability. This atmosphere of dread and the vivid ghost stories told in his childhood helped shape his later visions. Munch did not merely paint what he saw; he sought to externalize his internal state. He called this approach soul painting. It was a way to translate psychological distress into visual form, using the colors and shapes of his own experience.

    The Path to Expressionism

    Munch began his formal studies at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania, which is now known as Oslo. During this time, he moved within bohemian circles that challenged the strict rules of academic art. A significant influence was Hans Jæger, a nihilist who encouraged Munch to abandon conventional styles and instead focus on his own subjective emotions. This shift led him toward the development of Expressionism.

    Travels through Europe brought new perspectives to his work. In Paris, he encountered the techniques of artists like Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, particularly their use of color. In Berlin, his connections with figures such as August Strindberg further pushed his investigations into psychological themes. He began to move away from naturalistic representation, opting instead for distorted forms and rhythmic lines that could communicate the tremors of human existence.

    Themes and Lasting Impact

    Much of his work belongs to a series he called The Frieze of Life, where he explored the recurring cycles of love, fear, death, and anxiety. Some of his most recognized paintings include:

    The Scream: A work from 1893 that uses swirling, fiery landscapes to represent existential dread.

    Madonna: A piece that explores themes of sexuality and mortality.

    The Sick Child: A poignant reminder of the loss of his sister.

    Puberty: An exploration of the physical and psychological changes of youth.

    Munch was a highly active printmaker, using techniques like etching, lithography, and woodcut to expand his reach. He possessed over one thousand paintings at the time of his death in 1944. His ability to confront the darker aspects of the human condition helped pave the way for later movements like German Expressionism. Today, much of his legacy is preserved in the Munch Museum in Oslo, where his work continues to speak to the complexities of the human psyche.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The sick child 02

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/edvard-munch-the-sick-child-02-6WHK7S-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Munch, Edvard. The sick child 02. 1885, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-sick-child-02-6WHK7S-en/
    APA
    Munch, Edvard (1885). The sick child 02 [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-sick-child-02-6WHK7S-en/
    Chicago
    Edvard Munch. The sick child 02. 1885. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-sick-child-02-6WHK7S-en/
    Harvard
    Munch, Edvard (1885) The sick child 02. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-sick-child-02-6WHK7S-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: sick child, mourning figure, family loss. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at The Scream (1893), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What personal tragedy heavily influenced Edvard Munch's creation of 'The Sick Child 02'?

      • A His father’s financial ruin
      • B The loss of his mother and sister to tuberculosis
      • C A failed romantic relationship

    2. 2. To which artistic movement is Edvard Munch most closely associated?

      • A Impressionism
      • B Cubism
      • C Expressionism

    3. 3. What is a prominent characteristic of the color palette used in 'The Sick Child 02'?

      • A Bright, vibrant hues
      • B Warm, earthy tones
      • C Somber blues and greens

    4. 4. Where is 'The Sick Child 02' currently housed?

      • A The Louvre Museum, Paris
      • B National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, Oslo
      • C Museum of Modern Art, New York

    5. 5. How did Munch's early life experiences shape his artistic style?

      • A He focused on depicting idyllic landscapes.
      • B They led him to explore themes of mortality, sickness, and psychological distress.
      • C He primarily painted portraits of wealthy patrons.

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1B · 2C · 3C · 4B · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The sick child 02 — Edvard Munch Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Can I use augmented reality to see "The sick child 02" by Edvard Munch in my room?

    The AR Preview page of "The sick child 02" by Edvard Munch uses augmented reality to show the artwork in your own space, on a compatible device.

    What is the format of "The sick child 02"?

    "The sick child 02" by Edvard Munch has a square format. The format describes the proportions of the composition.

    What feeling is "The sick child 02" associated with?

    The emotional tone recorded for "The sick child 02" by Edvard Munch is melancholic. It summarizes the feeling the work expresses.