In the Man's Brain (Reclining Woman) c. 1897

Edvard Munch created this print, “In the Man’s Brain (Reclining Woman),” without specifying a date. Here, Munch visualizes a nude woman, whose body is fragmented and enmeshed in the abstract lines that imply the contours of a man's face. Painted in an era of rapid social and cultural change, and a rising tide of feminist thought, this work presents a fascinating challenge to traditional gender roles. Produced in Norway, it reflects the anxiety and shifting power dynamics between men and women during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The artwork's title boldly claims the depicted woman as a mere construct within the male psyche. Munch's print invites us to consider how art both reflects and shapes societal norms. Historical sources and feminist theory may assist us in deciphering the complex interplay of gender, power, and artistic expression embedded within this image.