red creeper (Edvard Munch, 1900)

Identification of the Artwork by Edvard Munch

The artwork titled red creeper was executed by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. This specific piece is an oil on canvas that dates to 1900. It is a work that belongs to the Expressionist movement, focusing on the intersection of landscape and psychological realism.

The painting is identified in various records as red creeper or House with Red Virginia Creeper. It was created during a period when Munch was exploring the internal states of the human psyche through visual form. The work is part of the artist's broader exploration of the natural world and its relationship to human experience.

This oil on canvas composition is held within a private collection. It is documented in the catalogues raisonnés as Woll 440. The artist's signature, E Munch, is located in the upper left corner of the work.

Visual Composition and Subject Matter

The composition centers on a large house characterized by red walls and green trim. Multiple windows are distributed across the structure, including several located on the second floor. A tree is positioned in the foreground, situated directly in front of the building. The scene is set during the daytime, appearing under a light that leaves no distinct shadows or darkness across the landscape. Ivy or creeper growth is visible against the facade, contributing to the depiction of nature and decay within the Norwegian setting.

The subject matter focuses on a landscape that emphasizes themes of isolation and melancholy. The arrangement of the house, the tree, and the creeping vegetation creates a specific atmosphere. The visual elements combine to present a scene of stillness, where the architectural form of the house is integrated with the surrounding organic growth. The presence of the red walls against the green foliage establishes a color relationship that defines the visual field.

Technical Details and Physical Dimensions

This work is executed in oil on canvas. The physical dimensions of the piece measure 119.5 x 121 cm. The surface shows the application of pigment through various methods, including the use of impasto to create a textured layer of paint. This technique results in a tactile surface where the thickness of the medium is visible.

The artist's signature, E Munch, is positioned in the upper left corner of the composition. This mark is rendered in a dark pigment that distinguishes it from the surrounding colors of the building's façade. The work is identified in the catalogues raisonnés as Woll 440.