“By the Deathbed (Fever) I” is an emotionally charged artwork by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, created in 1915. This expressionist painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 187 x 234 cm. As an example of genre painting, it captures a scene of human life with raw emotional intensity—typical of Munch’s approach to art. This particular piece resides in the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.
The artwork depicts a somber, intimate scene that appears to take place in a room where a person lies ill or possibly at the edge of death. The figures surrounding the bed are cloaked in dark garments, their faces drained of color, conveying a sense of mourning or deep concern. Their distorted features and mournful expressions enhance the atmosphere of despair and evoke the emotional turmoil associated with watching a loved one in a state of suffering.
Predominant hues of green and red create a stark contrast, imbuing the artwork with an unsettling quality. The red splotches on the wall could symbolize the feverish condition of the patient, further emphasized by the artwork’s title. The exaggerated forms and bold use of color reflect the expressionist movement’s aim to evoke emotional responses over realistic representation. The portrayal of the human condition in such a visceral manner is characteristic of Munch’s oeuvre, often centered around themes of illness, death, and emotional pain.