Oslo Munch Museum and Nord

 While Carl had a crazy urge to climb all over the Oslo Opera House, I chose to spend time in the Munch Museum, a brand new museum (2021) that houses all the paintings, notes, sketches, letters, diaries that Norway’s most renown artist gave to the city before he died.  Everyone seems familiar with his “The Scream” (even Apple emojis 😱 ).

The outside of this designated museum to Munch

As a child, paging through our family’s Comptons encyclopedia…I was always awe struck by “The Scream”.  It left a lasting impression and it was overwhelming to see his other works, some just as dramatic and emotional as The Scream.  

I was thrilled to take photos of any and all of his works on permanent display. Of course, I was also anxious to find “The Scream” but held off until the end of my wanderings.  Here are some of my favorites…

Jealousy 

Separation 

Starry Night

Yes, while in Paris he hung with Van Gogh, Gauguin and Toulouse Letrec…the Impressionists.  He, however, is differentiated as an Expressionist.  The emotion displayed through his paintings resonates human emotions to such a degree that it certainly sets him apart from other artists.  I find his life story is almost  as interesting as Van Gogh’s.   I have appreciated seeing the individual brushstrokes of Van Gogh’s and now Munch’s masterpieces.  

Back to the sad ending of my afternoon with Munch…the gem of the collection are three versions of The Scream.  However, since Munch painted them on cardboard or paper, the museum only opens the vaults they are hanging in on a rotating basis.  Apparently light harms the color pastels’ pigments and the colored original Scream was hidden to me today.  All that was on display was the black and white woodblock print below.

The two vaults holding the precious colored pastels on paper and cardboard.

In my opinion, they just want to prevent further thefts of The Scream.

At least Nord was able to sneak a peek!