A recent discovery has shed new light on the artistic lineage between two titans of modern art: Edvard Munch and Paula Rego. Newly uncovered correspondence from a teenage Rego reveals how profoundly Munch’s work impacted her, forging a link that has largely been overlooked until now. As the world prepares for the first major exhibition of Rego’s work in the Nordic region, this revelation not only enriches our understanding of her artistic journey but also highlights Munch’s enduring legacy.
A Letter from the Past
The connection between Munch, the iconic Norwegian painter best known for his haunting masterpiece *The Scream*, and Rego, one of the most significant figurative artists of Portugal, has long been obscured. However, a recently discovered letter from a 16-year-old Rego to her mother, Maria, dated late 1951, has brought this relationship into sharp focus. At the time, Rego was attending a finishing school in Kent when she visited a Munch exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London.
In her letter, Rego expressed her awe at Munch’s work, particularly his emotionally charged pieces. “What impressed me most was an exhibition there by a modern Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch,” she wrote. The impact of *The Scream* and another of Munch’s poignant works, *Inheritance*, resonated deeply with her. She described the latter as depicting a woman cradling a skeletal child, an image that stayed with her throughout her artistic development.
The Rediscovery of Drought
Fast forward to 2015, when Rego rediscovered a painting she had created during her youth, titled *Drought*. This piece, measuring a modest 65cm by 22cm, portrays an open-mouthed pregnant woman holding a skeletal infant, mirroring the themes of despair that permeated Munch’s oeuvre. The work had been tucked away in a portfolio at her family home, only to be unearthed by her son, Nick Willing, and the head of her estate following her passing in 2022.
Art historian Kari J Brandtzæg, from Norway’s Munch Museum, was shown *Drought* and immediately recognised its connection to Munch’s emotional palette and style. “It was so obvious in the use of red and yellow and also how it was painted, very roughly, as Munch did in his 1890s paintings,” Brandtzæg remarked. The painting will be prominently featured in the upcoming exhibition, *Dance Among Thorns*, which opens at the Munch Museum in Oslo on 24 April.
Curatorial Discoveries
Brandtzæg, who was tasked with curating the exhibition 18 months ago, was initially unaware of Rego’s exposure to Munch’s work. However, as she selected pieces for the show, she began to notice a thematic dialogue between Rego’s art and Munch’s creations. The similarities between Rego’s *The Dance* (1988) and Munch’s *The Dance of Life* (1925) became apparent, as did parallels between Rego’s *Time – Past and Present* (1990) and Munch’s *History* (1914).
Despite extensive searches, Brandtzæg found no direct evidence of Rego’s interactions with Munch’s work beyond the exhibitions she attended. However, the discovery of *Drought* ignited her pursuit, leading to a thrilling find: the letter recounting Rego’s visit to the Tate. “It was electrifying,” Brandtzæg exclaimed, reflecting on the significance of her findings.
In a 2004 interview with the British Library, Rego spoke about her admiration for Munch, recalling her visits to exhibitions, including one in Paris in 1952. This deep connection to Munch’s emotionally charged art provides insight into Rego’s own creative motivations. “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 said.
A Lasting Legacy
Munch’s influence on Rego is not merely academic; it speaks to the heart of their shared artistic ethos. Brandtzæg suggests that Munch acted as a kind of mentor from afar for Rego, inspiring her with courage and igniting her artistic voice. “Something deep within her resonates with Munch’s work, something that she wants to express,” she explained. For both artists, their creations serve as a means of self-exploration and identity.
Why it Matters
The revelation of Edvard Munch’s profound impact on Paula Rego enriches our understanding of the creative process and interconnectivity between artists across generations. It invites us to appreciate how the emotional landscapes of one artist can reverberate through another’s work, fostering a dialogue that transcends time and geography. As Rego’s legacy is celebrated in the upcoming exhibition, we are reminded that art not only reflects the world but also shapes it, creating a tapestry of influence that continues to inspire future generations.
