Berlin Model 1895

Curator: Edvard Munch’s "Berlin Model," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a compelling portrait. Editor: My initial impression is one of vulnerability; the sketch-like quality makes her feel so exposed. Curator: Indeed. Notice how Munch’s application of paint around the figure's head almost dissolves into the background, creating spatial ambiguity. The texture, though minimal, is significant, with the brushstrokes suggesting more than they define. Editor: And that red around her neck—it feels like a raw, almost primal energy, clashing with the neutrality of her expression, suggesting a hidden intensity. Curator: Precisely. The red can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of emotional distress, a recurring theme in Munch’s oeuvre, a visual shorthand for psychological states. Editor: Seeing how he uses color and form, it almost feels like she is on the verge of disappearing or transforming into something else. Curator: Well observed. Munch’s formal decisions underscore a deeper narrative, a dialogue between surface and essence, visibility and invisibility. Editor: It’s fascinating how much information is conveyed through so few formal elements. Curator: Yes, a testament to Munch's skill in eliciting profound emotional responses through carefully considered aesthetic choices.