Edvard Munch as Poet of Masochism

Everybody knows Munch's masterpiece 'The Scream' ('The Scream of Nature', 1893). The painting became an icon of the 20th century, icon of the godless life in modern society, perfect expression of human indefinite loneliness vainly seeking salvation in boundless materialism.

Separation, 1896

Edvard Munch (1863-1944) created similarly depressing painting dedicated to man and Woman relationship. It is usually called 'The Separation' (1896) but i would rather read it as purely masochistic picture. An icon of masochism. It is not inconsistent with traditional interpretation - our life is about separation and love is about coming together and Munch expressed suffering of broken love in the painting.

Separation I, 1886

What i see is a broken men, deeply in love with the Woman. He is staying aside, She is walking on the main road. He gave Her his heart, he has nothing more to give, but She does not care about him. He is staying in the shadow, She is shining alone in the sun. She is pure and white, he is alone with his dark thoughts. She arises from the landscape, She is a part of the nature, She belongs here, he is being slowly absorbed by the world as something strange and imperfect. She is the nature, She is eternal, he is disappearing... Nobody needs his love, nobody needs him. Pessimistic? Oh yes, it is Munch after all.

Separation II, 1886

Yet, the man is staying there quietly, in peace, like he already resigned to his fate. He bears his suffering patiently, ready to jump to Her whistle, ready to run to the ends of the world for Her. He is already in Her possession, She owns him, he is Her property. Does he like it? Is he happy? He loves to be Her slave, he wants to be Her slave, he enjoys it oh so much. He is nothing else in Her beautiful eyes. He is Her slave and slaves are here to serve Her. She likes him as a slave, as a pet, as a toy. And he is happy slave, happier then any other slave ever was. He would be anything She wants him to be and he would love it. He would love it because She gives him the role, he is here to follow Her will... It is a huge privilege to serve Her.

Separation, 1886

And, oh yeah, he is in love with Her, but he knows there is no use for his feeling, two are needed for love. Accepting the uselessness and futility of his love is probably the hardest thing he ever tried to do, but he must do it for both of them, for himself and for Her. He must do it for his love. Her happiness gives him the only joy he can reach in this world. So he stays quietly by the road, dealing with his inner pain and his unwanted love, but he is Her slave! Always trying hard to be the best slave for Her, waiting for Her call, waiting to the slightest possibility to serve Her, to make Her happy and to be happy. He is Hers.