A recent discovery has unveiled a profound yet previously unrecognised connection between two titans of art: Edvard Munch and Paula Rego. A newly found painting and an insightful letter from a young Rego have illuminated the Norwegian master’s pivotal influence on the Portuguese artist, reshaping our understanding of her creative evolution and the emotional landscapes she navigated throughout her career.
A Letter from the Past
When Paula Rego passed away in 2022 at the age of 87, the nuances of her artistic inspirations were not fully appreciated. Yet, an exploration of her early influences has now come to light, revealing how deeply Munch’s work resonated with her. In a long-forgotten letter penned in late 1951, a 16-year-old Rego, then a student at a finishing school in Kent, wrote to her mother about a transformative visit to an exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London.
She excitedly recounted her experiences, particularly the impact of Munch’s iconic piece, *The Scream*, and another haunting work, *Inheritance*, which depicts a grieving woman holding a skeletal child. “It’s so impressive, so impressive that you can’t imagine,” she wrote, capturing the emotional intensity that would later echo in her own creations.
The Unveiling of Drought
Fast forward to 2015, when Rego’s son, Nick Willing, stumbled upon a small painting titled *Drought* while sorting through his mother’s belongings in their family home in Portugal. This piece, measuring just 65cm by 22cm, had been overlooked for years, tucked away in a portfolio in her London studio. Its rediscovery is significant: painted amid a severe drought affecting families in Portugal, *Drought* features a pregnant woman with an open mouth, cradling a skeletal infant, evoking the very essence of Munch’s emotional depth.
Willing shared the artwork with Kari J Brandtzæg, an art historian at the Munch Museum, who instantly recognised the parallels between Rego’s piece and Munch’s work. “The use of red and yellow and the rough painting style are reminiscent of Munch’s approach in the 1890s,” she explained, underscoring the direct line of influence that had long been obscured.
A Dialogue Between Artists
As Brandtzæg began to curate an upcoming exhibition dedicated to Rego at the Munch Museum in Oslo, she discovered an intriguing dialogue between the two artists. “It was almost as if Rego was having a silent conversation with Munch’s visual world,” she noted, reflecting on the thematic and compositional similarities between their works. Pieces like Rego’s *The Dance* (1988) and *Time – Past and Present* (1990) bear striking resemblances to Munch’s *The Dance of Life* (1925) and *History* (1914), respectively.
Despite not having concrete evidence of Rego’s visits to Munch’s exhibitions beyond her initial encounter in London, Brandtzæg’s research uncovered an oral interview where Rego recounted attending a Munch exhibition at the Petit Palais in Paris in 1952. This further solidified the importance of Munch in Rego’s artistic identity, suggesting that he served as more than just an influence; he was a source of inspiration and emotional resonance.
The Emotional Legacy of Munch
In reflecting on the impact Munch had on her work, Rego described his paintings as “amazing” and “very emotional,” expressing how they encapsulated the very essence of what she aimed to convey through her art. Brandtzæg posited that Munch was akin to an artistic mentor for Rego, igniting her creative spirit and providing a framework through which she could articulate her own feelings and experiences.
“Munch became a friend in art she could look at and get ideas from,” Brandtzæg remarked. “For both Rego and Munch, art is a way of finding and being yourself.”
Why it Matters
This revelation not only enriches our understanding of Paula Rego’s oeuvre but also highlights the profound interconnections that exist within the realm of art. The newly uncovered influences between Rego and Munch serve to remind us that artistic expression is often a tapestry of shared emotions, inspirations, and dialogues that transcend time and geography. As we delve deeper into these connections, we gain a greater appreciation for the complexities of artistic lineage and the ways in which past masters continue to illuminate the paths of contemporary creators.
