Visit to the Edvard Munch Museum

We went to visit the Edvard Munch (1863-1944) Museum but unfortunately it is under renovation until the end of the month and only one room was open to the public.  Also, the National Gallery which houses some of this world renowned Norwegian painter's best known work including one of the eight versions of The Scream, is closed altogether for renovations until 2020.

Self portrait by the artist advertising the museum.  We were able to see a very interesting film at the museum about Munch's life and work which made the visit worthwhile.

The Scream.  This is not from the painting in the museum but of the poster outside it.  The Scream is Munch's best known work and it has become one of the most iconic images of world art.

From an exhibition of Munch's work in Berlin sometime in the 1920s.  His art was denounced by the Nazi regime as part of what they considered degenerative art and his works were banned in Nazi Germany.  But most of his work survived WWII ensuring his secure legacy in the art world.

Much of the art we saw at the limited exhibition of the one room of his work, today looks rather different from what Munch really painted.  The Brothel Scene, 1903 - one of a series painted in a Berlin brothel - was created using strong clear colours.  Over time light has changed the appearance of the painting.  Cadmium based colours were very popular with artists of the period when Munch painted this work.  Unfortunately these paints are also very liable to deterioration and fading as they age.  Plus, the cardboard panel it was painted on has become much darker.

This is the new as yet not opened Edvard Munch Museum along the waterfront near Bjorvika Harbour.