Munch + Music

To celebrate the opening of the new Munch Museum in Oslo in May 2020, we challenged four booming Norwegian artists to create music inspired by Edvard Munch’s paintings.

You can look at a painting and music starts playing in your head. Music that can reach into your mind and pull out thoughts of the work by one of the world’s most celebrated artists – the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.

Dynamic Variation:

Collage of four Munch paintings for the Munch + Music project

Edvard Munch paintings.
Photo: The Munch Museum

The musicians were free to choose their paintings, and whilst some had a special place in their heart for certain pieces, others focused more on finding a match of themes and tones. The results are highly diverse tracks that will contribute to the celebrations when the new Munch Museum opens in 2020, as well as to major international Munch exhibitions in cities such as Tokyo, Moscow, London, and Beijing.

The new museum, designed by the renowned Spanish architect Juan Herreros, will be an attraction in itself. Not only will it house Munch’s artworks – there will also be exciting temporary exhibitions and events. The museum will stand in contrast to the surrounding buildings and, true to its location, the Oslofjord will be reflected in the huge glass surfaces. It will undoubtedly open more eyes to the appeal and accessibility of the oeuvre of Edvard Munch. He is, after all, one of the most influential and inspirational artists of all times – even in the world of music.

Edvard Munch

The Norwegian painter and printmaker Edvard Munch (1863–1944) was one of Modernism’s most significant artists.

His intensely evocative treatment of psychological themes built upon some of the main principles of late 19th-century Symbolism and greatly influenced German Expressionism in the early 20th century.

His best-known work The Scream, painted in 1893, is one of the world’s most iconic paintings.

Check out the artists

Listen to the songs, see the films, and read more about the artists.

Learn more about Edvard Munch

Read about the artist and his art, and find out where to see it.

A self-portrait of Edvard Munch who's standing whilst holding a cigarette

"Self-Portrait with Cigarette", Edvard Munch (1895).
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet / Børre Høstland

The world-famous painter Edvard Munch

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Learn more about Edvard Munch

The Norwegian painter and printmaker Edvard Munch (1863–1944) was one of Modernism’s most significant artists. His intensely evocative treatment of psychological themes built upon some of the main principles of late 19th-century Symbolism and greatly influenced German Expressionism in the early 20th century. The Scream from 1893 is one of the world’s most iconic paintings.

What’s on?

The contrast between nature and modern life is an indispensable source of inspiration for Norwegian artists. Learn more about Norway’s cultural scene and add some extra flavour to your trip.