Munch & Denmark

The objective of the Munch and Denmark exhibition is to illustrate the importance of the relation with Denmark for Munch's artistic development.

For Munch, Copenhagen was a bridge to Europe – a transit and a fugitive meeting place. During his passing through the modern and pulsating Copenhagen, he would establish contacts with Danish artists and poets, while the city’s exhibitions provided him with inspiration. The artists associated with Den Frie Udstilling (the Independent Exhibition) such as J.F. Willumsen, Johan Rohde and Paul Gauguin’s Danish wife, Mette Gauguin, welcomed Munch into their circle and became very important in introducing him to the art of Paul Gauguin. The poets Emanuel Goldstein and Helge Rode were also significant for Munch during these formative years where close friendships were formed with the Norwegian artist. Goldstein was especially important for Munch’s reception of Impressionism and symbolism.

Munch also found peace and healing in Copenhagen during his years of crisis from the turn of the century to 1908. In 1905, he settled in Taarbæk north of Copenhagen. The majority of the works produced here has never been explored, as for example pictures of the harbour at Taarbæk. The background and significance of these pictures will be examined. In August 1908, Munch again returned to Copenhagen, as his mental and physical health deteriorated and put him in a critical condition. Munch was admitted to the neurologist Dr. Daniel Jacobson’s clinic and was in treatment for seven months. Munch transformed his room at the clinic into a studio where several works were painted, such as “Self Portrait at the clinic” and his portraits of Dr. Daniel Jacobson as well as other major works. He also experimented with photography and he illustrated his poem, “Alpha and Omega” with eighteen lithographs. Munch’s manifold artistic production during this period will be analysed and shown at the exhibition. The importance of the period at the clinic will be investigated, also in relation to the importance of psychology at this time.

The curator of the exhibition is the internationally acclaimed Munch expert Dieter Buchhart in collaboration with Ordrupgaard, where the exhibition will run from 4 September - 6 December 2009. The exhibition will be on show at The Munch Museum from January - April 2010. Extensive studies of Munch's relationship with Denmark lie behind the exhibition. These studies will be presented at the exhibition and in a comprehensive and well illustrated catalogue in Danish and English. The exhibition will display pictures from museums and private collections, including works which have never previously been exhibited publicly.

Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway is the patron of the exhibition.

The exhibition is supported by: Augustinus Fonden & OAK Foundation Denmark

Edvard Munch & Denmark
Kurator: Dieter Buchhart

Stationen:
04.10.09 - 06.12.09 ORDRUPGAARD Charlottenlund
Jan. - Apr. 2010 Munch Museum, Oslo