Killer Edvard Munch (1863-1944)

The painting Killer by Edvard Munch depicts a lone figure walking along a path in a desolate landscape. The figure is central to the composition, dressed in dark clothing and a hat, with a mask-like green face that appears unnaturally pale and drawn. Their hands are exposed, with flesh-colored gloves or bare skin rendered in a raw, almost skeletal manner. The path itself is rendered with swirling brushstrokes, suggesting uneven terrain and perhaps a sense of unease in the journey.

The surrounding landscape is abstract and expressive, with bold, almost violent slashes of color for trees and hills. The sky is a mix of muted purples, grays, and yellows, contributing to the overall somber and unsettling mood. The simplified forms and intense colors are characteristic of Munchs expressionist style, aiming to convey emotional states rather than strict visual representation.

The subtexts of Killer are multifaceted and open to interpretation, aligning with Munchs exploration of deep psychological themes.

• Alienation and Isolation: The solitary figure, isolated in a vast and seemingly indifferent landscape, strongly evokes themes of alienation. The unnatural green of the face could symbolize sickness, death, or an internal emotional turmoil that sets the person apart from their surroundings. Their posture and gait might suggest a weary, aimless moving through life.

• Inner Turmoil and Psychological Distress: Munch was known for his depictions of anxiety, fear, and existential dread. The distorted features of the figure, particularly the mask-like face and unnerving hands, can be seen as external manifestations of internal psychological distress. The chaotic brushwork in the landscape could mirror the turmoil within the figures mind.

• Guilt and Guilt Projection: The title Killer is potent and directly suggests guilt, violence, or the fear of ones own destructive potential. The figure might be a literal killer, carrying the burden of their actions, or it could be a more metaphorical representation of an individual consumed by their own dark impulses. The green face might represent a sickly conscience. Alternatively, it could be that the figure feels like a killer, projecting their own perceived monstrosity onto themselves and the world.

• Mortality and the Confrontation with Death: The pallor of the face and the rawness of the hands could also allude to sickness and the proximity of death. The figure might be on a path toward their own demise, or they may be confronting the reality of death in a broader sense.

• Anonymity and the Loss of Identity: The mask-like face strips the figure of individual identity, making them an archetype of suffering or dread. This anonymity can amplify the sense of universal human struggle.

Ultimately, Killer is a powerful and disturbing image that invites the viewer to contemplate the darker aspects of the human psyche, the burden of guilt, and the profound sense of alienation that can pervade existence.