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Archiver > NORWAY > 1998-12 > 0912559412


From: Michael G Landmark <>
Subject: Famous Norwegians - the amazing Munchs
Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 01:43:32 +0100


Munch, Edvard 1863-1944, this century's most important Nordic visual artist,
worked as painter and graphic designer. Originally a student of Chr. Krogh
and Bonnat, Krogh at an early stage developed his strong personal style
already apparent in works from his youth like "Sick child" 1886 and "Spring"
1889. In the 90's he displayed a definite opposition to realistic painting
in the cycle names "Frieze of Life", pictures from the modern soul life,
incorporating "The Scream", "Madonna", "Ashes", "Puberty", "Death at the
Sickbed", "Dance of Life" and others. Motifs from these paintings are found
also in his early graphics: "Vampire", "Madonna", "Sick Girl", a series of
depictions of man and woman as well as a series of portraits which in
spiritual analysis are unequalled in graphic art: "Strindberg",
"Obstfelder", "Helge Rode", "Gunnar Heiberg", "Drachmann" and others and the
large self-portrait in litho from 1895. Until 1908, apart from summer
vacations in Norway, Edvard Munch lived mostly abroad, particularly in
Germany where he won admiration and became famous. From 1909 he lived for
several years near Kragerø. From this period we have several portraits in
full body size adding up to an imposing gallery of personalities, a series
of landscapes painted with great strength in color and clarity and pointing
to the work of the Aula (university main auditorium), Munch's great
decorative work which he finished in 1915. In spite of the great opposition
this caused, it still marks his final official acceptance in Norway, and
places his gigantic work of a lifetime next to van Gogh. In the National
Gallery we find 30 works by Munch. After his death his large collection of
paintings, etchings, lithos, woodcuttings, drawing and sculptures were
donated to the City of Oslo which now on display at The Munch Museum in
Oslo, one of Norway's major cultural attraction.

Munch, Jacob 1776-1839, officer and portrait painter of patrician families
during the Norwegian Empire period, represented by his large painting of the
coronation of King Karl Johan which hangs in the Royal Palace in Oslo.

Munch, Johan Storm 1778-1832 clergyman and author, bishop of Christiansand
from 1823. Poetry, drama, classic literature and translation of vikingsagas
and articles on the old norse language. His son:

Munch, Andreas 1811-84, poet. Won the competition in 1837 to stage the first
show at Norway's new National Theater with "King Skule's Youth" over Henrik
Wergeland's "The Campbells". Editor of "The Constitutional" 1841-46. Large
production of theatrical plays. 1860 allowed the first government paid
artist's wage.

Munch, Peter Andreas 1810-63, historian, professor from 1841 and from 1846
also Chief Inspector of Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic
Buildings. His is the greatest name in the Science of Norwegian history. In
his gigantic main work "History of the Norwegian People", 8 volumes 1851-63
which covers the period up to 1397, he has given a broad in depth
presentation of the older history of Norway based on his personal perusal of
hitherto unedited, partly unknown spource material in collections at home
and abroad (the Vatican's archives and others). Munch was also a man of
letters and language (science of rune deciphering) archeologist and
geographic scientist, influential and famous far beyond the borders of
Norway. He was the central figure of Norwegian intellectual life during
"the national breakthrough" in the middle of the 19th century.

Venlig hilsen
Michael G Landmark
Adresse: Hestkøb Vænge 33, DK-3460 Birkerød
Voice: +45 4281 4024,
Fax/Data +45 4281 6025,
Mobile +45 4056 6025
E-mail:
HomePage http://www.landmark.suite.dk
DIS medlem: DK: 2616, N: 5153, S: 8266

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