The artwork titled “By the Roulette” is an oil on canvas painting created by the renowned artist Edvard Munch in 1892. Characteristic of the Expressionism art movement, the piece measures 74.5 x 115.5 cm and is classified as a genre painting. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Rasmus Meyer Collection located in Bergen, Norway.
The painting captures a scene centered around a roulette table, presumably set in a casino. A cadre of figures envelops the gambling space, each absorbed in the activity before them. In the foreground, two prominent figures are back-turned to the viewer, their attention seemingly fixated on the game. The roulette wheel, positioned on the right side, anchors the composition, while the gamblers, portrayed with loose and fluid brushstrokes, congregate around the table lush with scattered betting chips.
Edvard Munch’s use of color and brushwork conveys a palpable tension and excitement inherent to the gambling atmosphere. The varying expressions and postures of the individuals reflect the high stakes and emotions at play. Munch’s treatment of the subject matter and the somber, almost murky color palette evoke the psychological undercurrents of hope and despair associated with such an Establishment. The artwork, therefore, stands as a powerful example of Munch’s ability to embody and project the inner turmoil and intensity of human experiences onto the canvas, which is a hallmark of Expressionism.
