Autumn Ploughing 1919

Edvard Munch made this painting, Autumn Ploughing, with oil paint, capturing a fleeting moment of rural life. Munch’s handling of the oil paint is interesting; it's like he's wrestling with the material, each brushstroke laid down with a real sense of urgency and directness. There's a certain rawness and honesty to the application. Take a look at how the horses' forms are built up with thick, visible strokes. The paint isn’t blended smoothly, so you can trace the path of the brush. He creates a tangible sense of movement and energy. The palette is quite earthy, dominated by browns, greens, and blues, which gives a somber, melancholic feel to the scene. I'm reminded of Van Gogh, not just in the subject matter but also in the expressive use of paint. Like Van Gogh, Munch wasn't afraid to let his emotions guide the brush. It's a beautiful example of how painting can be a direct expression of an artist's inner world.