Berlin Prostitute 1905

Editor: This is "Berlin Prostitute" by Edvard Munch, a print with no specific date, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The woman's gaze is so direct, almost unsettling. What social commentary do you think Munch was trying to convey here? Curator: Munch's work often explores the marginalized. Consider Berlin at the time – a burgeoning metropolis, but also a place of stark social divisions. The title itself forces us to confront societal judgments about women and labor. Editor: So, the title itself is part of the commentary? Curator: Precisely. How does this stark, almost clinical portrayal challenge romanticized notions of femininity prevalent then? It’s about the politics of seeing and being seen. Editor: That makes me rethink my initial reaction. The gaze isn't just unsettling; it's defiant. Curator: Exactly. By understanding the context, we move from a personal impression to a broader understanding of social power at play.