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Student Artwork Guide

The Murderer

Edvard Munch, 1910

Name Class Date
Edvard Munch, The Murderer (1910). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Edvard Munch artsdot.com/en/artists/edvard-munch/
Artist’s dates
1863 – 1944
Painted
1910
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Original size
94 x 154 cm
Movement
Expressionism Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness.
Influences
Fauvism
Style
Expressionist, Symbolist
Subject
A man walking with his back turned, suggesting travel or flight.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Edvard Munch died in 1944; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2014.

Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

The Murderer — Edvard Munch Part 1 · The artwork

In context

The Murderer — Edvard Munch

How big is it?

The original measures 94 × 154 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920
  8. 1930
  9. 1940

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 81 at death.

Painted when the artist was 47. The artist lived to 81. 327 of the 410 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Edvard Munch (1863–1944) ▲ this work, 1910 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1893 Main working years: 1893–1908 Late works: from 1908

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/edvard-munch-the-murderer-8YDHS3-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #cdcdc9

    Catalogued palette

    • #CDCDC9
    • #5F5E52
    • #2B2E30
    • #9E9F91

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Edvard Munch over the last twelve months — 87 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 24.4%
    2. 2 Spain 14.4%
    3. 3 France 8.7%
    4. 4 United States of America 5.9%
    5. 5 Singapore 4.2%
    6. 6 Hong Kong 4.1%
    7. 7 Italy 3.6%
    8. 8 Brazil 3.2%
    9. 9 Japan 2.4%
    10. 10 Germany 1.8%
    11. · 77 other countries 27.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Edvard Munch

    1. 1 The Scream, 1893 27.7%
    2. 2 Madonna, 1894 8.2%
    3. 3 Melancholy, 1894 6.7%
    4. 4 Near the bed of death (fever), 1915 2.0%
    5. 5 The Child and Death, 1899 1.8%
    6. 6 Kiss, 1897 1.3%
    7. 7 Ashes, 1894 1.1%
    8. 8 Girls on the Pier, 1904 1.0%
    9. 9 The Day After, 1895 0.9%
    10. 10 Jealousy, 1895 0.9%
    11. 11 Christmas in the Brothel, 1905 0.9%
    12. 12 The Dance of Life, 1899 0.8%
    13. 13 Madonna, 1894 0.7%
    14. 14 The Girls on the Bridge, 1901 0.7%
    15. 15 Man and Woman I, 1905 0.6%
    16. 16 Self-Portrait, 1895 0.5%
    17. 17 Cree (casein on cardboard) 2, 1893 0.5%
    18. 18 Jealousy, 1907 0.4%
    19. 19 To the Forest, 1897 0.4%
    20. 227 The Murderer, 1910 this painting 0.1%

    Together these works take 57.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 629 works by this artist, of which 478 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 227 of them, with 0.1% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch

    A Shadowed Journey: Unveiling Edvard Munch’s ‘The Murderer’

    Edvard Munch's *The Murderer*, painted in 1910, is a profoundly unsettling work that embodies the core tenets of Expressionism. Measuring 94 x 154 cm, this oil on canvas isn’t merely a depiction of a figure; it’s a visceral exploration of psychological turmoil and societal anxiety at the dawn of the modern era. The painting draws viewers into a world steeped in foreboding, where even seemingly mundane details – a man with a suitcase – become laden with ominous suggestion.

    Decoding the Composition & Technique

    The composition is dominated by strong diagonal lines that propel the eye forward, mirroring the relentless march of fate or perhaps, the hurried escape of guilt. A solitary figure, seen from behind, walks along a path, his hat pulled low and clutching a suitcase – symbols of travel, displacement, and concealed burdens. The background figures are indistinct, adding to the sense of isolation and unease.

    Munch’s technique is characteristically expressive. He employs thick, impasto brushstrokes, building up layers of paint that create a textured surface brimming with emotional intensity. The color palette is deliberately restricted – predominantly cool blues, greens, and grays – punctuated by jarring flashes of red and yellow. This chromatic dissonance amplifies the painting’s unsettling atmosphere. The flattened perspective contributes to a claustrophobic feeling, trapping both the figure within the landscape and the viewer within the scene's psychological space.

    Symbolism & Emotional Resonance

    *The Murderer* is rich in symbolic meaning. The central figure isn’t necessarily a literal murderer, but rather represents the weight of guilt, the burden of secrets, or the darker aspects of human nature. The barren landscape and stormy sky mirror an internal state of turmoil – a soul ravaged by anxiety and despair. The suitcase can be interpreted as containing not possessions, but the consequences of actions, or perhaps the very essence of a troubled psyche.

    Munch masterfully conveys feelings of alienation, isolation, and psychological distress. The painting doesn’t offer answers; instead, it invites viewers to confront their own anxieties and contemplate the complexities of the human condition. It's a work that resonates deeply because it taps into universal fears and emotions.

    Historical Context & Artistic Legacy

    Created during a period of significant social and artistic upheaval, *The Murderer* reflects the growing disillusionment with traditional values and the rise of psychological exploration in art. Munch was at the forefront of the Expressionist movement, which sought to prioritize subjective experience over objective representation. Influenced by Symbolism and briefly by Fauvism’s bold use of color, he forged a unique style that profoundly impacted subsequent generations of artists.

    Collecting & Interior Design Considerations

    A reproduction of *The Murderer* can serve as a powerful focal point in any space. Its dramatic composition and somber palette lend themselves well to modern or minimalist interiors, adding depth and intrigue. Consider pairing it with neutral tones to allow the painting’s emotional intensity to take center stage. For collectors, owning a high-quality reproduction offers an opportunity to appreciate Munch's genius without the constraints of acquiring an original – a piece that is now housed in prominent museums like The Munch Museum and the National Gallery in Oslo.

    Style: Expressionism, Symbolism

    Medium: Oil on Canvas

    Dimensions: 94 x 154 cm

    Current Location: Munch Museum, Oslo (original)

    This painting is not simply a visual experience; it’s an invitation to delve into the depths of the human psyche and confront the shadows within.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Edvard Munch

    Born in Adelsbruk, Sweden

    A Life Shaped by Loss

    Edvard Munch arrived in the world in 1863, born into the stark landscapes of Norway. His early years were defined by a heavy presence of grief that would later find its way onto his canvases. The deaths of his mother and his sister, Sophie, both taken by tuberculosis, left a deep mark on his young mind. These losses created a preoccupation with mortality and the fragility of life that stayed with him forever. He grew up in a household where the shadows of sickness were never far away.

    His father, Christian, was a physician who struggled with intense religious devotion and mental instability. This atmosphere of dread and the vivid ghost stories told in his childhood helped shape his later visions. Munch did not merely paint what he saw; he sought to externalize his internal state. He called this approach soul painting. It was a way to translate psychological distress into visual form, using the colors and shapes of his own experience.

    The Path to Expressionism

    Munch began his formal studies at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania, which is now known as Oslo. During this time, he moved within bohemian circles that challenged the strict rules of academic art. A significant influence was Hans Jæger, a nihilist who encouraged Munch to abandon conventional styles and instead focus on his own subjective emotions. This shift led him toward the development of Expressionism.

    Travels through Europe brought new perspectives to his work. In Paris, he encountered the techniques of artists like Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, particularly their use of color. In Berlin, his connections with figures such as August Strindberg further pushed his investigations into psychological themes. He began to move away from naturalistic representation, opting instead for distorted forms and rhythmic lines that could communicate the tremors of human existence.

    Themes and Lasting Impact

    Much of his work belongs to a series he called The Frieze of Life, where he explored the recurring cycles of love, fear, death, and anxiety. Some of his most recognized paintings include:

    The Scream: A work from 1893 that uses swirling, fiery landscapes to represent existential dread.

    Madonna: A piece that explores themes of sexuality and mortality.

    The Sick Child: A poignant reminder of the loss of his sister.

    Puberty: An exploration of the physical and psychological changes of youth.

    Munch was a highly active printmaker, using techniques like etching, lithography, and woodcut to expand his reach. He possessed over one thousand paintings at the time of his death in 1944. His ability to confront the darker aspects of the human condition helped pave the way for later movements like German Expressionism. Today, much of his legacy is preserved in the Munch Museum in Oslo, where his work continues to speak to the complexities of the human psyche.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The Murderer

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/edvard-munch-the-murderer-8YDHS3-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Munch, Edvard. The Murderer. 1910, https://artsdot.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-murderer-8YDHS3-en/
    APA
    Munch, Edvard (1910). The Murderer [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-murderer-8YDHS3-en/
    Chicago
    Edvard Munch. The Murderer. 1910. https://artsdot.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-murderer-8YDHS3-en/
    Harvard
    Munch, Edvard (1910) The Murderer. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-murderer-8YDHS3-en/

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: dark atmosphere, psychological distress, solitary figure. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at The Scream (1893), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. In what year was Edvard Munch's 'The Murderer' painted?

      • A 1893
      • B 1905
      • C 1910

    2. 2. Which artistic movement is 'The Murderer' most closely associated with?

      • A Impressionism
      • B Expressionism
      • C Cubism

    3. 3. What is a dominant characteristic of the color palette used in 'The Murderer'?

      • A Bright, vibrant hues
      • B Warm earth tones
      • C Dark shades of blue and green with flashes of red/yellow

    4. 4. What technique is prominently employed by Munch in 'The Murderer' to create texture and emotional intensity?

      • A Sfumato
      • B Impasto
      • C Pointillism

    5. 5. The figure in 'The Murderer' is depicted with his back turned. What effect does this compositional choice create?

      • A A sense of intimacy and connection
      • B A feeling of unease, isolation, and mystery
      • C An emphasis on the landscape

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1C · 2B · 3C · 4B · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    The Murderer — Edvard Munch Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Who created "The Murderer"?

    "The Murderer" was created by Edvard Munch. The information on this page describes Edvard Munch's original work.

    Is "The Murderer" by Edvard Munch among the sought-after Expressionism artworks?

    "The Murderer" is recorded as iconic among the Expressionism works in the catalog.

    What does "The Murderer" by Edvard Munch depict, and in what mood?

    "The Murderer" shows dark atmosphere, psychological distress, solitary figure, stormy landscape, human anxiety, emotional intensity, symbolic imagery, and its recorded mood is dramatic.