In a fascinating discovery, a letter penned by Paula Rego in 1951 has surfaced, revealing her profound admiration for the works of Edvard Munch. At just 16 years old, Rego expressed her awe after visiting a Munch exhibition, which left an indelible mark on her artistic journey.
Rego, who would later become a leading figure in figurative painting, particularly noted the impact of Munch's iconic pieces, including The Scream and Inheritance. In her letter to her mother, she described the exhibition as "so impressive that you can't imagine," highlighting the emotional depth and striking visuals that resonated with her.
Despite her passing in 2022, Rego never openly shared this pivotal experience with anyone apart from her mother, Maria. She vividly recalled her visit to the Tate Gallery in London, where Munch's work captivated her imagination. "What impressed me most was an exhibition there by a modern Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch," she wrote, emphasizing the haunting nature of his art.
Rego elaborated on her admiration for Munch's ability to convey deep emotions through his paintings. She specifically referenced Inheritance, depicting a crying woman with a skeletal child, and noted the profound impression it left on her young mind.
Fast forward to a year later, during a severe drought in Portugal, Rego channeled her emotions into her artwork, creating a piece that mirrored Munch's style. The painting, titled Drought, features a distressed pregnant woman holding a frail baby under a fiery sun, echoing the despair captured in The Scream. This artwork was rediscovered in 2015 by her son, Nick Willing, while they were cleaning their family home.
Drought is set to be showcased in "Dance Among Thorns," a significant exhibition dedicated to Rego, opening at the Munch Museum in Oslo on April 24. Curator Kari J. Brandtzæg noted that over 18 months of research revealed striking parallels between Rego's and Munch's artistic approaches, particularly in their use of color and composition.
Brandtzæg remarked on the "dialogue" between Rego's and Munch's works, suggesting a silent conversation that transcends time. The visual connections between their pieces, such as Rego's The Dance and Munch's The Dance of Life, highlight how their artistic legacies continue to inspire and resonate with future generations.
This newfound understanding of Rego's connection to Munch not only enriches the narrative of her work but also emphasizes the enduring influence of great artists on one another, paving the way for future artistic explorations and dialogues.