In an extraordinary revelation, the profound influence of Edvard Munch on the celebrated Portuguese artist Paula Rego has come to light, thanks to the discovery of a long-forgotten painting and an insightful letter penned by Rego herself. This new evidence not only uncovers a previously unrecognised link between two iconic artists but also sheds light on how Munch’s evocative works shaped Rego’s artistic vision during her formative years.
The Early Impact of Munch
Rego’s fascination with Munch began when she was just a teenager. In 1951, at the tender age of 16, she attended a Munch exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London, an experience that left an indelible mark on her artistic identity. In a newly surfaced letter addressed to her mother, Maria, Rego expressed her overwhelming admiration for Munch’s work, particularly noting the emotional depth of his paintings, including the iconic *The Scream*.
She wrote, “What impressed me most was an exhibition there by a modern Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch,” reflecting on the profound effect his art had on her. “It’s so impressive that you can’t imagine,” she continued, singling out *Inheritance*, a haunting piece depicting a woman cradling a skeletal child. This letter, which remained hidden for decades, illustrates how Munch’s work resonated with Rego, igniting a passion that would later flourish in her own art.
The Rediscovery of *Drought*
Fast forward to 2015, and Rego’s artistic journey came full circle when she stumbled upon a small painting titled *Drought* while sorting through her late mother’s belongings in Portugal. This striking piece, measuring only 65 cm by 22 cm, captures a pregnant woman with an anguished expression, reminiscent of the emotional turmoil depicted in Munch’s works. The colour palette Rego chose, echoing the tones of *The Scream*, highlights the lingering impact Munch had on her artistic choices, even decades later.
This painting had been tucked away in her London studio, unseen by the public eye, until her son, Nick Willing, along with the head of Rego’s estate, uncovered it last October. The moment was electrifying for art historians, particularly Kari J Brandtzæg from Norway’s Munch Museum, who immediately recognised the connection between *Drought* and Munch’s emotional style. “It was so obvious in the use of red and yellow,” she remarked, noting the rough brushwork that mirrored Munch’s technique from the 1890s.
An Artistic Dialogue
As Brandtzæg prepared for the upcoming exhibition, *Dance Among Thorns*, set to open at the Munch Museum in Oslo on 24 April, she began to draw parallels between Rego’s work and that of Munch. The exhibition will mark the first major showcase of Rego’s art in the Nordic region, and the inclusion of *Drought* promises to be a pivotal moment in understanding her artistic lineage.
Despite her admiration for Munch, concrete evidence of Rego’s direct engagement with his work had been elusive. Brandtzæg’s investigation into Rego’s archives led to the discovery of the aforementioned letter, which felt like winning the lottery for the curator. “It was electrifying,” she exclaimed, recognising the significant role Munch played in shaping Rego’s artistic journey.
Furthermore, an oral history interview with Rego, conducted by the British Library in 2004, revealed that she had also visited a Munch exhibition in Paris shortly after her London experience. This deep connection underscores the importance of Munch’s work in shaping Rego’s artistic philosophy. “I loved the life in them and all these things that were going on seem to me what I was trying to do, really,” she shared.
Why it Matters
This newfound understanding of the relationship between Edvard Munch and Paula Rego not only enriches the narrative of 20th-century art but also underscores the importance of artistic lineage. Munch’s ability to evoke deep emotional responses through his work resonated profoundly with Rego, ultimately influencing her own exploration of the human condition. As we delve into the complexities of art, the connection between these two remarkable artists serves as a poignant reminder of how inspiration transcends time, bridging generations and cultures through shared emotional experiences.
