The world-famous painter
Edvard Munch

It’s been more than 125 years since Edvard Munch painted The Scream; however, the pale human figure with its skull-shaped head and ovoid mouth still captivates people all over the world. The painting is an icon of modern art. It’s been named the second most famous picture in art history (after the Mona Lisa). It even has its own emoji 😱!

Though The Scream might be better known than the artist himself, Munch is one of the most famous Norwegians of all time. Born in Løten in 1863, Munch was active as an artist for more than 60 years. Many of his works were influenced by existential themes such as anxiety, jealousy, and melancholy, making his art as relevant today as it was 125 years ago.

Norway’s capital also hosts the world's biggest collection of Munch's work. MUNCH is the most comprehensive single-artist museum in the world, exhibiting more than half of the artist’s paintings. The collection includes famous works like The Scream, Madonna, The Dance of Life, Puberty, and The Sick Child. In 2021, the former Munch Museum closed and its works were moved to an ultra-modern 13-story tall Munch universe in Bjørvika in Oslo. MUNCH's collection includes works from every stage of the artist's career. The new museum has lots of exhibition space and several restaurants, and also hosts exhibitions by contemporary artists and workshops.

The National Museum in Oslo also contains several of Munch’s most significant works, including early versions of The Scream, The Girls on the Bridge, The Brooch, and Melancholy. The museum is temporarily closed, and its Munch collection will be exhibited in the brand new National Museum that will open in 2022 at a new location.