The exhibition “Edvard Munch Portraits” opens in London, showcasing 45 portraits by Munch. It highlights his social connections and artistic life, with curator Alison Smith emphasizing the deep psychological insights these works provide. The exhibition runs from March 13 to June 15, marking a first for Britain’s focus on Munch’s portraits.
A new exhibition titled “Edvard Munch Portraits” opens at London’s National Portrait Gallery, running from March 13 to June 15. Featuring around 45 works, it explores Munch’s portraits of himself, family, friends, and patrons, highlighting a less recognised aspect of his life.
Curator Alison Smith explains that the exhibition reveals Munch as more socially connected than often perceived. “It shows Munch as being a more social person than is often assumed. It takes us beyond The Scream,” she stated, noting his relationships contributed to his stability.
This exhibition is the first in Britain to focus solely on Munch’s portraits, showcasing pieces such as the 1892 painting of lawyer Thor Lutken for the first time. Smith describes it as “quite a monochromatic portrait” that merges with a moonlit landscape.
Beginning with family portraits, the exhibition progresses to showcase fellow artists and Munch’s important patrons. “Munch painted hundreds of portraits…they were really fundamental to his practice,” Smith noted, emphasising their dual role in capturing surface appearances and probing deeper psychological insights.
Edvard Munch, who died in 1944, aged 80, produced these portraits throughout his lengthy career, underscoring their significance in understanding his artistic motivations and the individuals he painted.
The exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery uncovers Edvard Munch’s lesser-known social life through an array of portraits. It is the first in Britain centred on his portrait work, revealing Munch’s artistic connections and psychological insights into his subjects, thus broadening the understanding of his legacy beyond just “The Scream.”
Original Source: www.canberratimes.com.au