Discover Edvard Munch’s Art in Oslo

Visit the National Gallery, a temple of art in Oslo

The National Gallery (Nasjonalmuseet) was established in 1842 in Oslo, Norway. The actual building was designed by Heinrich Ernst and Adolf Schirmer in 1882, but the art was initially held at the Royal Palace of Oslo.

The National Gallery hosts a wide collection of international paintings and sculptures. You will experience a journey through the history of art, admiring several artworks made by many famous artists as such as Gentileschi, Guillaumin, Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, and Picasso.

Find “The Scream,” a symbol of modern art

The “Scream” by Edvard Munch can be considered one of the most important pieces of art in the whole collection. Standing in front of this absolute masterpiece, that has been cited in art history books, it’s an unmissable experience during your trip in Oslo. The layered colors seem to jump out from the painting, spreading a real sense of anxiety and fear.

There are four versions of this marvelous painting; the example in the picture is one of the two painted versions. These four pieces of art were created between 1893 and 1910 and their completed title is “The Scream of Nature” (Der Schrei der Natur).

Edvard Munch’s artwork has been targeted by some professional thieves. Indeed, in 1994 and in 2004, respectively, these masterpieces were stolen from the National Museum and at the Munch Museum, and recovered two years after their theft.

Be captured by a beautiful Madonna

The painting in the picture above, also by Edvard Munch, is known as the “Madonna” or the “Loving Woman.” There are some elements that associate this figure with the mother of Jesus Christ, as such as the expression of her face, the self-confidence of her sight, the position of her body; probably tributes that the artist made to all the masters who depicted the Madonna during the centuries. The sacred white halo here is substituted with a red one, symbolizing the duality between pain and love. This evocative artwork is still open to many interpretations, which makes seeing it even more interesting. The female figure, who is the absolute subject of the painting, is considered to be a priestess of a decadent love, a femme fatale who bewitches all the men along her path. Being in front of this controversial and moving masterpiece is an incredible experience, and a moment you won’t easily forget in your life.