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Student Artwork Guide

Spring

Edvard Munch, 1889

Name Class Date
Edvard Munch, Spring (1889). 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 allpaintingsstore.com/en/artists/edvard-munch/
Artist’s dates
1863 – 1944
Painted
1889
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Movement
Expressionist Painting
Period
19th Century
Artistic style
Symbolic
Notable elements or techniques
Fluid brushstrokes
Subject or theme
Nature, Emotion

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: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

Spring — Edvard Munch Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Spring — Edvard Munch

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 26. The artist lived to 81. 24 of the 410 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Edvard Munch (1863–1944) ▲ this work, 1889 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

  • The Scream, 1893 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-the-scream-8XXU48-en/
  • Melancholy, 1894 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-melancholy-8XXU3N-en/
  • Madonna, 1894 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-madonna-8YDETZ-en/

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: allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/similar/edvard-munch-spring-6WHK82-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #c4b889

    Catalogued palette

    • #C4B889
    • #2A2420
    • #60513A
    • #92825C

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

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow 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 28.2%
    2. 2 Madonna, 1894 7.7%
    3. 3 Melancholy, 1894 6.6%
    4. 4 Near the bed of death (fever), 1915 2.0%
    5. 5 The Child and Death, 1899 1.7%
    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 Christmas in the Brothel, 1905 0.9%
    11. 11 Jealousy, 1895 0.9%
    12. 12 The Girls on the Bridge, 1901 0.7%
    13. 13 The Dance of Life, 1899 0.7%
    14. 14 Madonna, 1894 0.7%
    15. 15 Self-Portrait, 1895 0.6%
    16. 16 Man and Woman I, 1905 0.5%
    17. 17 Jealousy, 1907 0.5%
    18. 18 To the Forest, 1897 0.5%
    19. 19 Cree (casein on cardboard) 2, 1893 0.5%
    20. — Spring, 1889 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 57.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 629 works by this artist, of which 472 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. 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: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring — Edvard Munch Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Spring — Edvard Munch

    Introduction

    This article provides an analysis of the painting 'Spring' by Edvard Munch, a Norwegian painter known for his Expressionist style. The focus will be on the artist, title, style, date, and composition, as well as the use of light and shadow in this masterpiece.

    The Artist: Edvard Munch

    Edvard Munch (1863-1944) was a Norwegian painter and printmaker who played a significant role in the development of Expressionism. His work, which often depicted intense emotions and psychological states, was influenced by Symbolism, Romanticism, and Realism. He is best known for his iconic painting 'The Scream' (1893), but his oeuvre includes various themes such as love, death, and anxiety.

    Title: Spring

    'Spring' (1889) is one of Munch's early works, painted during his stay in Paris. The painting reflects the artist's fascination with nature, human emotions, and the passing of time. It also marks a transition from his earlier Naturalist style to a more expressive approach that would become characteristic of his mature work.

    Style: Expressionism

    Expressionism is an artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by the distortion of reality for emotional effect. Artists sought to express their inner worlds, often using bold colors, exaggerated forms, and unconventional compositions. Munch's 'Spring' exemplifies these characteristics with its vivid hues, fluid brushstrokes, and emotionally charged atmosphere.

    Date: 1889

    The year 1889 was significant for Munch as he began to explore new artistic directions during his stay in Paris. 'Spring' reflects the artist's growing interest in capturing the essence of human emotions and the transience of life, themes that would become central to his work.

    Composition and Use of Light and Shadow

    In 'Spring', Munch employs a simplified composition with two main figures: a woman in a red dress and a man in a black suit. The couple is depicted walking along a path, surrounded by lush vegetation and vibrant colors. The use of light and shadow creates depth and atmosphere, emphasizing the emotional connection between the characters and their environment. The artist masterfully employs chiaroscuro to enhance the dramatic effect of the scene. The contrast between light and dark areas adds tension and mystery, inviting viewers to explore the painting's deeper meaning. Munch also uses color symbolism to convey emotions: red represents passion and love, while black signifies melancholy and despair.

    Conclusion

    Edvard Munch's 'Spring' (1889) is a powerful example of Expressionist art that showcases the artist's innovative approach to painting. By examining the composition, use of light and shadow, and symbolic elements, we can better understand Munch's unique vision and his contribution to modern art. AllPaintingsStore.com offers high-quality hand-made oil paintings reproductions of 'Spring' by Edvard Munch, allowing art enthusiasts to appreciate this masterpiece in their homes or offices. Explore our collection and discover the beauty of Expressionist art.

    Read more about: the Abstract Expressionism Art Movement

    Discover: Edvard Munch's 'Spring' painting

    Learn about: Muzeul K.h. Zambaccian, Bucharest, Romania, where some of Munch's works are exhibited.

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring — 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 Spring

    allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/download/edvard-munch-spring-6WHK82-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Munch, Edvard. Spring. 1889, https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-spring-6WHK82-en/
    APA
    Munch, Edvard (1889). Spring [Painting]. https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-spring-6WHK82-en/
    Chicago
    Edvard Munch. Spring. 1889. https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-spring-6WHK82-en/
    Harvard
    Munch, Edvard (1889) Spring. Available at: https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/edvard-munch-spring-6WHK82-en/

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring — Edvard Munch Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Spring — 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. Our catalogue files this work under: emotion, landscape, human figure. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Scream (1893), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Edvard Munch was about 26 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

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

    Source: AllPaintingsStore.com — accessed Sept. 24, 2026

    Spring — Edvard Munch Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What aliases or alternate names does Edvard Munch have?

    Edvard Munch is also known as Munch.

    What subject and atmosphere does "Spring" by Edvard Munch combine?

    "Spring" by Edvard Munch combines emotion, landscape, human figure, parisian art, symbolism, nature scene, psychological painting with a romantic atmosphere.

    Is "Spring" typical of what Edvard Munch usually created?

    Edvard Munch's recurring themes include symbolism roots, existential angst, psychological depth, early style, expressionist legacy; "Spring" focuses on emotion, landscape, human figure, parisian art, symbolism, nature scene, psychological painting.