Munch at the Courtauld

Meloncholy by Edvard Munch — Meloncholy, 1894-96

We all know of Munch’s “The Scream”, it’s perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable images in popular understanding of the Art world.

Munch though is so much more than just one well known image. The Courtauld has collected together a tranche of 18 significant paintings by Edvard Munch, a number of which have never visited the UK before.

bathing boys by edvard munch — Bathing boys,1904-05

The collection was formed by philanthropist Rasmus Meyer who became entranced by Munch’s early work, and became an important benefactor to Munch, which enabled him to carry on investigating and enhancing his richly expressive style.

For me, one of the key elements of Munch’s work is the colour palate. Few pictures or images of his work manage to convey both the richness and the subtleties of his colours. Even the more sombre imagery is still beautiful in its colour rendition.

Nude in profile towards the right, 1898

The exhibition brings paintings from across Munch’s working lifetime, from 1884 to 1909. It covers his early, bright and youthful outlook, through his darker and more disturbed period and through his period of alcoholism and onward into recovery.

Running through until the 4th of September this exhibition is a must-see for any Munch fan. Beyond that if you only know of “The Scream” then I would urge you to visit and see what else lays in store.

The Courtauld is located at Somerset house and has a great deal of hugely important works, so much that one could easily spend an entire day there.