Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch (1863-1944)

The Norwegian artist Edvard Munch drew inspiration throughout his life from his tragic youth: he had grown up in a poor family, lost his mother and sister at a young age, suffered under his severely depressed father and endured poor health. Munch took lessons in sculpting and painting and settled in Oslo (then Kristiana) where he joined the artist and student group 'Kristiana Bohème'. From an originally Impressionistic style, he rapidly developed a more Expressionistic form. Along with his youthful experiences of sickness and death, sexuality was an important theme in his work.