Alma Mater
1920
charcoal
From the collection of Munch Museum
1920
charcoal
From the collection of Munch Museum
Alma Mater is a 1920 charcoal by Edvard Munch, a Post-Impressionism work, held at Munch Museum.
The painting features a woman in a red jacket and a blue skirt, sitting on a rocky beach with her arms crossed. She is surrounded by four children, all of whom are nude. The woman appears to be breastfeeding one of the children. The background of the painting is a beach with a few buildings in the distance. The painting is done in a loose, expressive style, with bold brushstrokes and vivid colors. The overall effect is one of warmth and intimacy, as if the viewer has stumbled upon a private moment. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of color and composition, you might want to explore the technique of glazing.
