Young Girls on a Bridge by Edvard Munch

“Young Girls on a Bridge,” painted by Edvard Munch in 1901 in the coastal town of Åsgårdstrand, Norway, depicts three young women standing on a wooden bridge, gazing out over a serene body of water surrounded by vegetation and an idyllic rural landscape. This village, along with the small house he purchased there, was a cherished source of inspiration for the Norwegian artist.

This work stands as a moving example of Munch’s contribution to the Symbolist movement, which arose in reaction to preceding Realism, shifting its focus toward the representation of subjective emotion rather than objective reality. The bold colors and expressive lines in this painting convey a sense of tranquility tinged with melancholy, reflecting the internal emotional landscapes of its subjects.

The composition—prioritizing mood over meticulous detail—would influence later Expressionist artists who sought to explore psychological depth through exaggerated forms and vibrant tones. In this work, one sees Munch’s ability to capture the fleeting beauty of youth and the introspective nature of adolescence. As a result, this masterpiece encapsulates a moment in time and functions as a bridge between the Symbolist and Expressionist movements.