Munch Museum

While Munch didn’t really do my style of painting (I’m a Monet fan), I really enjoyed this museum!

Some thirty years ago, when I was still living in London, I went to an exhibition of Munch’s paintings and etchings at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank and was totally mesmerised by the raw emotions in his work. I vowed then that I would go to Oslo befoe I died to see his works in his native country. Coming across it here, I was immediately reminded of the promise I had made myself. I wonder if I will experience the same the power now as I felt then?

the national gallery had more of his better works on display. the munch museum has a huge collection of his works, but few on exhibit. also, the metal detectors and oppressive security were a turn-off.

From Munch’s diary:

bq. I was walking along a path with two friends

the sun was setting

I felt a breath of melancholy

Suddenly the sky turned blood-red

I stopped and leant against the railing,

deathly tired

looking out across flaming clouds that hung

like – blood and a sword over the

deep blue fjord and town

My friends walked on –

I stood there trembling with anxiety

And I felt a great, infinite scream pass

through nature.