Edvard Munch at the British Museum

“One shall no longer paint interiors, people reading and women knitting. They will be people who are alive, who breathe and feel, suffer and love.” Edvard Munch

Being very inspired by Munch’s work, naturally I when I found out he had an exhibition at the British Museum, I had to buy a ticket.

The show compromised mainly of his prints and wasn’t quite what I expected. Documenting not just Munch’s work but also his entire life chronologically, it made me reconsider my romantic view of his bohemian lifestyle. Munch’s “Scream” wasn’t solely inspired by his sister’s struggle with schizophrenia, but also his own struggles.

Young Munch was incredibly idealistic and really gave himself to the ideas that drove Oslo’s social rebels of his time. Later on he withdrew from the circles and gave up heavy drinking. His first love was unrequited and he never settled down happily.

I particularly liked his portraits of friends and the Sick Child. I was slightly disappointed to only see a black and white print of the Scream. I also felt the British Museum could’ve brought more work together for £17.