A recently discovered letter and painting have illuminated the profound impact that Edvard Munch had on Paula Rego, revealing a fascinating artistic lineage that has remained largely unrecognised until now. This newly found correspondence from a teenage Rego, alongside her evocative painting titled *Drought*, showcases how Munch’s iconic works resonated deeply with the Portuguese artist during her formative years.
A Teenage Revelation
In the autumn of 1951, a 16-year-old Paula Rego visited a Munch exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London, an experience that would linger in her memory and heavily influence her artistic trajectory. In a letter to her mother Maria, who remained in Portugal, Rego expressed her awe with palpable enthusiasm. “What impressed me most was an exhibition there by a modern Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch,” she wrote, recalling the emotional weight of Munch’s masterpieces like *The Scream* and *Inheritance*.
She described the latter work, depicting a woman cradling a skeletal child, as “so impressive, so impressive that you can’t imagine.” This early encounter with Munch’s intense imagery marked a pivotal moment in Rego’s artistic evolution, a point that would later manifest in her own work as she grappled with themes of despair and maternal anguish.
The Discovery of *Drought*
Fast forward to 2015, when Rego rediscovered her own painting *Drought* while sorting through family belongings in Portugal. This small piece, measuring just 65cm by 22cm, had been tucked away in her London studio, unseen by the public eye. In this poignant work, Rego employed a colour palette reminiscent of Munch’s emotional landscapes, illustrating an open-mouthed pregnant woman carrying a skeletal infant, her face turned towards the sun—a haunting echo of Munch’s explorations of grief and existential dread.
The painting, now set to be showcased in the forthcoming exhibition *Dance Among Thorns* at the Munch Museum in Oslo, is expected to be a highlight of the display, which opens on 24 April. Art historian Kari J Brandtzæg, tasked with curating the exhibition, was initially unaware of Rego’s connection to Munch. However, as she selected works for the show, the parallels between Rego’s pieces and Munch’s resonated strongly, underscoring a visual dialogue that transcended time and geography.
A Silent Conversation Across Time
Brandtzæg noted the striking similarities between Rego’s *The Dance* (1988) and Munch’s *The Dance of Life* (1925), as well as between Rego’s *Time – Past and Present* (1990) and Munch’s *History* (1914). “It is almost as though Rego is having a silent conversation with Munch’s visual world,” she mused, highlighting the depth of their artistic connection.
Despite the lack of direct evidence that Rego studied Munch’s work in Norway or elsewhere, her admiration for the artist is irrefutable. In the course of her research, Brandtzæg discovered an interview from 2004, where Rego recounted visiting Munch’s exhibitions in Paris with her parents. This further cemented the idea that Munch played a vital role in Rego’s artistic development, serving as a source of inspiration and emotional resonance.
The Emotional Resonance of Munch
Rego’s profound appreciation for Munch’s work was evident as she described his paintings as “amazing” and “very emotional,” resonating with her own artistic pursuits. Brandtzæg posits that Munch became an idol for Rego, sparking a deep connection that encouraged her to explore her own feelings through art. “Munch became a friend in art she could look at and get ideas from,” she explained, illustrating how their shared thematic concerns—identity, suffering, and the human condition—intertwined across generations.
Rego’s journey as an artist was undeniably shaped by Munch’s influence. The intense emotional landscapes of Munch’s work provided a framework through which Rego could navigate her own complex themes, ultimately allowing her to carve out a distinct voice in the world of figurative painting.
Why it Matters
The revelation of Edvard Munch’s influence on Paula Rego is not merely an art historical footnote; it underscores the interconnectedness of artistic expression across time and space. As we delve into the lives and works of these two remarkable artists, we gain insight into the ways in which personal experiences and emotional struggles can resonate through generations. This newfound understanding invites us to appreciate the depth of Rego’s contributions to art while recognising the foundational role that Munch played in shaping her creative vision. In an era where artistic lineage often gets overlooked, this discovery serves as a poignant reminder of the power of influence and the enduring dialogues that art can inspire.
