Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter and printmaker whose evocative treatment of psychological themes built on late 19th-century Symbolism and greatly influenced early 20th-century German Expressionism. His childhood was marked by illness, bereavement, and the dread of inheriting a family mental condition. The oppressive religious milieu, poor health, and vivid ghost stories inspired his macabre visions; he felt death was constantly advancing on him. At the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (now Oslo), Munch lived a bohemian life under nihilist Hans Jæger, who urged him to paint his emotional and psychological state (‘soul painting’). This led to his distinctive style.
His painting The Scream (1893) symbolizes modern spiritual anguish and is an iconic image in the art world. The painting’s agonized face represents the angst of modern life. Munch recalled that he was out walking at sunset when he “heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature.”
Despite growing fame and wealth, Munch’s emotional state remained insecure. A mental breakdown forced him to give up heavy drinking. He was cheered by increasing acceptance in Kristiania and museum exposure. His later years were spent in solitude, working in peace and privacy.
