A self-portrait of Edvard Munch who's standing whilst holding a cigarette
The world-famous painting The Scream by Edvard Munch

Experience
MUNCH

This building has transformed Oslo's skyline, nodding respectfully towards Norway's bustling capital.

At the time of his death in 1944, Edvard Munch had no descendants to oversee his estate …

… he had therefore chosen to bequeath all of the artworks still in his possession to the City of Oslo.

Including Self-Portrait with Cigarette (pictured) as well as one of the world's most iconic paintings …

… The Scream!

In one of the versions, you may be able to make out a tiny text that reads "Painted by a madman", which some believe was painted by Edvard Munch himself.

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.​

Read more about Edvard Munch

The Scream

The three versions of The Scream are displayed in a rotunda, each for one hour at a time as part of the permanent exhibition, Edvard Munch Infinite. This is done in order to best protect the fragile paintings. It's clear that one of the world's most famous artworks has gained renewed attention in recent years.

Munch’s figure is often featured on protest signs, particularly at climate change protests.

"Contrary to popular belief it's nature and not the figure in the painting that is screaming, according to Munch himself who wrote "… a great and infinite scream through nature," says Lindeberg.

Moving The Scream into the new MUNCH museum in Oslo, Norway
The Munch Museum when the sun sets in Oslo, Eastern Norway
The MUNCH museum facade in Oslo in Norway

In order to honour Munch's legacy, Oslo has built the MUNCH museum, one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to a single artist.

Estudio Herreros designed the sixty-metre tall building, which has less than half the emissions of corresponding buildings.

Many of the architectural decisions were climate driven.

The building is clad in wavy recycled aluminium panels that have varying degrees of transparency. The exterior is designed to screen and reflect sunlight to maintain a stable temperature inside.

The MUNCH museum in Bjørvika

  • One of the world’s largest museums devoted to a single artist
  • Exhibits Munch's paintings, drawings, woodcuts, and photographs
  • 13 floors and 26,313 square metres
  • 42,000 museum pieces and 11 exhibition halls
  • Temporary exhibits of local and international artists
  • Restaurant, café, bar, shop, concert venues and cinema
  • Designed by the Spanish architects Estudio Herreros.
  • Built in recycled concrete and steel
  • 50 percent less emissions than corresponding buildings
  • The museum also houses art collections by Rolf Stenersen, Amaldus Nielsen, and Ludvig Ravensberg, donated to the city of Oslo

Source: MUNCH

More Munch than ever

In the middle of Oslo, a tall building right next to the fjord shapes the city's skyline.

The new Munch museum stands out in the Oslo skyline, Eastern Norway

"The museum is filled with Edvard Munch’s art as well as exhibitions featuring other renowned contemporary artists. The museum is five times as large as the former Munch museum, so you can now explore more Munch than ever," says MUNCH's press officer Maren Lindeberg.

In addition to exhibitions, the museum hosts a varied programme of performance, literature, music, film, and dance events.

"MUNCH is a venue that presents cultural events for everyone, regardless of age, or background. The building is filled with culture, and topped with the best views of Oslo and the Oslofjord. You can visit the café, or enjoy a drink at the rooftop bar on the picturesque 13th floor," says Lindeberg.

Exhibition at the new MUNCH

MUNCH aims to make Oslo more attractive to its inhabitants, and create another excellent reason to visit Oslo.

"MUNCH is a great venue in Oslo. Architecture, a central location, and a calendar full of varied events will truly put art at the heart of Oslo, and give the museum a key role in developing the community. Bjørvika, the area where MUNCH is built, adds a new dimension to Oslo, which makes the city an international metropolis and an exciting destination offering a wide variety of things to do. Oslo is about to be reborn," enthuses Lindeberg.

Moving Munch's art into its new home in Oslo, Eastern Norway
Moving Munch's art into its new home in Oslo, Eastern Norway
The large painting, The Sun by Edvard Munch in Oslo, Eastern Norway
Edvard Munch, atelier at Ekely
The café, Munch Deli & Kafé at the first floor of the Munch museum in Oslo in Eastern Norway
People enjoying a drink at Kranen cocktail bar at MUNCH, Oslo
People at the Operastranda beach outside the Munch museum in Oslo, Eastern Norway

Moving the fragile paintings into the museum was no easy task.

The largest paintings, which are up to 50 square metres in size, had to be transported by water to the new museum. They were then lifted 21 metres by crane and maneuvered through a large opening in the side of the building's sixth floor.

Afterwards, the seven-metre high opening was sealed shut – for good.

The two enormous paintings that were moved in this way – The Sun (pictured) and The Researchers – were painted to inspire the students at The University of Oslo.

The paintings are displayed in a grand hall that stretches over two floors, and can be seen in the Edvard Munch Monumental exhibition.

But Edvard Munch was not only a painter. He loved to experiment with photography and didn't hesitate to use himself as a model.

In other words, Munch took a lot of selfies!

His photographs can be seen in the digital exhibition, The Experimental Self.

If you find that your head is full of aesthetic experiences, but your belly is empty, head to one of the three places to eat and drink. You don't need a ticket to the museum to visit them.

Order oysters or a Munch burger at the delicious Tolvte bistro on the 12th floor, or head up to the rooftop cocktail bar Kranen for drinks and an extraordinary view of Oslo.

What a place for a date night!

Buy a picnic basket downstairs at the MUNCH Deli & Kafé to take along to the idyllic Opera beach right outside the museum and the Opera house. Go for a swim (yes, we swim outside year-round!) and warm up in one of the many hot saunas nearby.

Don't forget to set aside some time to stroll around and explore this new and super-trendy neighbourhood, including Munch Brygge and Oslobukta.

Read more about the MUNCH museum in Oslo.

Oslo has become a new hot spot for art lovers in recent years.

In addition to MUNCH, don't miss the chance to visit The National Museum, the Astrup Fearnley Museum or the outdoor masterpieces the Vigeland Sculpture Park or the Ekeberg Sculpture Park.

More art experiences in Oslo

  • The Monolith seen from the sky
    Oslo

    Vigeland Sculpture Park

    Sculpture park by Gustav Vigeland inside the Frogner Park
  • Dilemma by Elmgreen & Dragset
    Oslo

    Ekebergparken Sculpture Park

    Park that combines nature, history and art
  • The Astrup Fearnley Museum seen from the fjord. Aker Brygge and the City Hall in the background
    Oslo

    Astrup Fearnley Museet

    Explore the international contemporary art scene in a stunning Oslo landmark.
    Book now
  • Facade
    Oslo

    The National Museum

    Experience old and contemporary art at the new National Museum
    Book now

More Munch

A self-portrait of Edvard Munch who's standing whilst holding a cigarette
The world-famous painter Edvard Munch
The world-famous painting Madonna by Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch’s female influences
The Scream painting by Edvard Munch
The echo of The Scream
  • Three girls on a bridge in Åsgårdstrand in Vestfold, Eastern Norway - a remake of “The girls on the bridge" by Edvard Munch
    Walk in Munch's footsteps

Explore more thrilling art

  • The new Munch museum in Oslo, Eastern Norway
    Norway – a world class art destination
  • Kunstsilo - The art silo at Odderøya island in Kristiansand, Southern Norway
    Kunstsilo – Southern Norway's new art destination
  • Four laughing women standing in the fountain surrounded by mirrors at Kistefos Museum in Hadeland
    11 safe bets for culture lovers
  • Morten Krogvold by the Munch Museum
    Photographer Krogvold's top cultural tips in Oslo
  • The Twist at the Kistefos Museum in Hadeland - Norway’s new art destination - surrounded by dense forest
    Hadeland – Norway’s art haven near Oslo

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