In the Tavern 1890

Edvard Munch painted *In the Tavern* with oil on canvas. The rough canvas peeks through in places, allowing the viewer to see the traces of the artist’s hand in the finished work. The scene evokes the heavy atmosphere of a dimly lit tavern through muted tones of browns and greys. The loose, gestural brushstrokes create a sense of immediacy, as though Munch captured the scene in a fleeting moment. The visible marks of making imbue the painting with a sense of authenticity, challenging the traditional notion of the artist as a detached observer. Munch’s interest in depicting the everyday lives of working-class individuals in a naturalistic style elevates the experience of ordinary people. In doing so, Munch blurs the lines between fine art and social commentary. The amount of work that goes into this production process asks the viewer to consider the value of both labor, and leisure.