Edvard Munch: the creator of The Scream

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Edvard Munch earned his place in history with artwork influenced by his restless soul and the Norwegian nature. Meet the creator of the iconic masterpiece The Scream.

It’s been more than 125 years since Edvard Munch painted The Scream, but the pale human figure with the skull-shaped head and ovoid mouth still captivates people all over the world. The picture is an icon of modern art. It’s been named “the second most known picture in the art history”, after 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. The painter, who was born in Løten in 1863, was active for more than 60 years. Many of his works were influenced by existential themes such as anxiety, jealousy, and melancholy, which makes his art as relevant today as it was 125 years ago.

Munch didn’t only turn to his own tormented internal landscape for motifs. He was also inspired by the stunning scenery that surrounded him, and the places where he lived and resided are visible in his paintings.

Hence, you can easily follow in his footsteps and experience the places that triggered his creativity, from the idyllic coast of Åsgårdstrand and Kragerø to the bustling main street Karl Johans gate in Oslo.

Experience Munch up close

Norway’s capital also hosts the largest collection of works by Munch. The Munch Museum is the most comprehensive one-man museum in the world and holds 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 2020, the present Munch Museum will be replaced by an ultra-modern 13-story tall Munch universe in Bjørvika in Oslo with artwork from all different stages of his career, several exhibition areas, and workshops. The present museum will keep its doors open until the new museum opens.

The National Museum in Oslo contains several of Munch’s most significant artworks, like the earliest versions of The Scream, The Girls on the Bridge, The Brooch, and Melancholy. The museum is temporarily closed, and its Munch collection will be moved to the site of the brand new National Museum that will also open in 2021.

You can also experience more of Munch’s art on a guided tour in Oslo City Hall, and in the nearby University Aula that is open during concerts and other events. Munch’s atelier at Ekely outside Oslo city centre is part of the Munch Museum and is open during summer. From the Munch Spot in the public park of Ekeberg, you get the same view over Oslo as Munch had when he got the idea of the motif for The Scream, and Ekeberg also offers a vast open-air sculpture park. In the Oslo area of Tøyen, you can experience street art. Also for free, you can visit Munch’s grave with a bust of the artist, centrally located at the cemetery of Vår frelsers gravlund.

In Norway’s second largest city, Bergen, Kode Art Museums exhibits one of the world’s major Munch collections with works like Jealousy, The Woman in Three Stages, and Evening on Karl Johan.

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Explore Munch’s artworks

Munch Museum

The Munch Museum has the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's works, and provides insight into the artist as a pioneer of expressionism. Read more

Munch Museum

Hotel Continental

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Hotel Continental

Galleri Würth

Gallery Würth - art exhibition close to Würths main office in Norway! Read more

Galleri Würth

Hotell Refsnes Gods

The hotel with the unique art collection! Read more

Hotell Refsnes Gods

Berg - Kragerø Museum

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Berg - Kragerø Museum

KODE – Art museums and Composer Homes

Extensive collection of art and design. Masterpieces by Edvard Munch, Nikolai Astrup, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, J. C. Dahl and "the Silver Treasure". Read more

KODE – Art museums and Composer Homes

Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum

Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum makes space for ideas. Read more

Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum

Follow in Munch’s footsteps

The Munch Center

The exhibitions at the Munch Center at Klevfos focus on the young Edvard Munch and the visits he made to the Hedmark area after his family moved to… Read more

The Munch Center

Munch at Munthegaarden

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Munch at Munthegaarden

MUNCH WALK in Vågå

Edvard Munch is Norway's best-known artist and a world-class painter. He was both recognised and controversial in his lifetime, and many people viewed… Read more

MUNCH WALK in Vågå

In the footsteps of Edvard Munch

Did you know that some of E. Munch's most famous works are painted in Kragerø? Take a walk in Munch's footsteps through the streets of Kragerø and… Read more

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Hvitsten - Fred. Olsen and Edvard Munch

One has known about Hvitsten from the Viking Age, as this was the seat of Nevstein and Ingrid. Ingrid was the sister to King Harald… Read more

Hvitsten - Fred. Olsen and Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch´s house in Åsgårdstrand

It was in 1889 that Edvard Munch (1863-1944) spent the first of many summers in Åsgårdstrand. In 1898 he bought a house built at the end of the 18th… Read more

Edvard Munch´s house in Åsgårdstrand

Edvard Munch's Ekely

In 1916, Edvard Munch bought the estate Ekely outside Oslo. He lived and worked at Ekely for 28 years. Read more

Edvard Munch's Ekely

Isegran

Visit the beautiful and historic island in the river between the Old Town and Kråkerøy. Isegran is the perfect place for food, culture, and leisure… Read more

Isegran

Engebret Café

An Oslo institution dating back to 1857. Read more

Engebret Café

Memorial cemetery: Æreslunden

Cemetery dating back to 1808, known primarily for Æreslunden , Norway's main honorary burial ground. Æreslunden was established… Read more

Memorial cemetery: Æreslunden

The culture destination Ramme

Ramme – a new cultural destination south of Oslo – opens in 2020 Ramme is just a 40-minute drive from the centre of Oslo. Access to the… Read more

The culture destination Ramme

The Art City Kragerø

Kragerø is referred to as "The gem among coastal cities" of Edvard Munch, Norway's most famous artist of all time. Read more

The Art City Kragerø

Islets - Rauane / rødskjær

Spend a night under the open sky at Rauane or Rødskjær in the Kragerø archipelago. These islets are also nice for having a bath in the sea. Read more

Islets - Rauane / rødskjær

Bicycle route: The Vantage Point Ekeberg

Several nice vantage points are found within cycling distance from the centre of Oslo. The Valhall curve has one of the best views in the city. It is… Read more

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Grand Hotel

Deluxe full-service hotel centrally located on Oslo's famous main street Karl Johans gate, surrounded by some of the city's best shopping… Read more

Grand Hotel

Oslo Guidebureau: Guided walks in Oslo

Walking tours in Oslo with autorised tour guides who are specialists on everything from architecture to industrial history. Combined they speak more… Read more

Oslo Guidebureau: Guided walks in Oslo

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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

How Munch inspires other artists

Watch entertaining films about how Munch ignites both Norwegian and foreign musicians.

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The world-famous painter
Edvard Munch

Experience Munch up close

How Munch inspires other artists

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The world-famous painter Edvard Munch

Experience Munch up close

How Munch inspires other artists

Still feeling artsy?

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The world-famous painter
Edvard Munch