Golgotha 1900

Edvard Munch created ‘Golgotha’ using oil paints on canvas, a hallmark of the fine art tradition. Munch was part of a movement exploring subjectivity and inner emotion, and he used paint expressively, with visible brushstrokes and a layering of colors, to give the artwork a raw, emotive power. The canvas and pigments are industrialized materials, available for purchase, which democratized artmaking, but the skill in using them remains the artist's domain. Thick daubs of paint describe the faces of those watching the crucifixion, imbuing them with an almost grotesque quality. This technique invites us to consider the relationship between the artist's labor and the emotional intensity of the scene. Looking at the materiality and methods of production, you can move beyond the religious narrative and see Munch's commentary on human suffering. This challenges the traditional art history focus on iconography, emphasizing materials, methods, and contexts for a complete understanding.