Final answer:
The question pertains to the Arts, specifically how painters like Van Gogh and Munch express themes of melancholy and despair through their work, reflecting on the 'mournful puzzle of life' with profound imagery and symbolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "The painter pondered the mournful puzzle of life" refers to the emotional depth and reflection that artists often convey through their work. The powerful use of imagery and symbolism by painters like Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and others, addresses the profound themes of melancholy, despair, and the human condition. For instance, Van Gogh's stormy skies and dead-end paths in his landscapes communicate a sense of loneliness and isolation, while also finding something "healthy and fortifying" in nature. Similarly, Munch's character on the bridge in The Scream embodies deep emotional turmoil, an image believed by many to be a self-portrait of despair. The solitary figures set against stark backgrounds in these works evoke a poignant response in the viewer, pointing to the universal quest for meaning amidst life's trials.