Munch: In His Own Words

In this book Munch's own soul is laid bare through the translation and analysis of diaries, literary sketches and letters which have never been published in the English language. Preserved in the archives of the Munch Museum in Oslo to whom they were presented by the artist himself, these writings give a unique insight into one of the most fascinating artistic minds of the twentieth century. Munch was as influenced by the literary and philosophical context of turn-of-the-century Europe as he was by his artistic milieu, and by his own admission, several of his major works started life as literary sketches.
Beautifully illustrated with drawings, paintings, and contemporary photography, this book presents an intimate portrait of the artist's life - the early death of his mother, his childhood illnesses, his tragic love affair - through his own philosophical and literary representation of it. Interweaving Munch's artistic and literary experiences these texts provide a commentary on the artist's works, on his own personal philosophy, on the work of contemporaries (Van Gogh among others), and on the sensibilities of his friends and family. Expertly contextualised by Poul Erik Tojner Munch: In His Own Words brings the world of the artist vividly to life.