ANXIETY AND ITS REPRESENTATIONS IN EXPRESSIONIST PAINTING
Abstract
The current study, titled (Representations of Anxiety in Expressionist Painting: Edvard Munch as a Model), aims to explore the concept of anxiety and its representations within expressive aesthetic artworks. The study also seeks to examine artistic styles of modern art movements—especially Expressionism—by shedding light on the psychological dimension and its manifestations in the aesthetic output of the artist Edvard Munch.
To achieve the research goal of examining the representations of anxiety in Expressionist painting, using Edvard Munch as a case study, the research is organized into four chapters:
Chapter One: The methodological framework, starting with the research problem and moving to the research objective:
To reveal representations of anxiety in the artworks of Edvard Munch.
This was limited to the period 1885–1900, focusing on Munch’s oil paintings. The chapter also includes definitions of key terms used in the study.
Chapter Two: The theoretical framework, divided into three sections.
The first discusses the concept of anxiety, the second examines anxiety through psychological theories, and the third focuses on anxiety and its representations in Expressionist painting.
Chapter Three: The research procedures, including defining the research population and the tools used for collecting data. A purposive sample of six oil paintings by Munch was selected, and the descriptive method was adopted for analysis.
Chapter Four: Presents the results and conclusions derived from the research objectives and theoretical framework. Key findings include:
- The expression of the self and its anxiety gives rise to new symbolic and semantic forms, especially when realistic representation fails to encapsulate inner psychological dimensions.
- Munch's artworks display a diversity of themes and ideas, often stemming from a single central idea. Through this, he generates a powerful visual narrative filled with symbolic meanings and deep expressive values—as seen in his painting “The Dance of Life”.
This chapter also includes recommendations and suggestions, such as:
- Modern and contemporary Iraqi art should give more attention to psychological dimensions, especially in academic settings (Bachelor’s and postgraduate studies) in faculties of Fine Arts across departments (Visual Arts – Art Education – Performing Arts – Theatre Education).
- Conduct further studies that trace the representation of psychological dimensions in both modern and contemporary artworks.