Taarbæk Harbour 1905

Edvard Munch made this painting, Taarbæk Harbour, with oil paint. I love how Munch throws down these strokes that feel both clumsy and confident, like a kid let loose with finger paints but with the weight of the world on their shoulders. The colors are muted, almost like he mixed a little grey into everything, which gives it this melancholy vibe, even on what looks like a sunny day. Look at the water, how he uses these thick, gloppy brushstrokes to capture the movement and reflection of light. It's not about precision; it's about feeling the coolness of the water, the way the boats bob gently. And those boats themselves, each one a slightly different shape and color, like characters in a play. It reminds me of some of Van Gogh’s landscapes, but with a Nordic twist. Munch isn't trying to give us a perfect picture; he's inviting us into a world that feels raw and real.