Edvard Munch (1863-1944), Norwegian Landscape (Norwegische Landschaft), 1908

Etching, dry needle; size: 10.5 x 15.5 cm; not signed. Original print was included in the book "Die Kunst des Radierens" by Hermann Struck, PAN-Presse, Copenhagen 1912-1920. Collector's description in lower margin pp. Letter: Gustav Schiefler,. Verzeichnis des graphischen Werks Edvard Munchs bis 1906 (vol. 1. Berlin 1907; reprint 1974, item 268); Woll item 298 II.

Norway's most prominent painter, one of the most recognizable European artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Munch's art strongly influenced the development of European painting of the early 20th century, being one of the main sources of Expressionism. In 1881-86 Edvard Munch studied at the Royal Drawing School in Oslo (including 1882-83 with Ch. Krohg), and 1890 - with L. Bonnat in Paris, where he went thanks to a scholarship; he was associated with the Symbolists of S. Mallarmé's circle and with the Pont-Aven school. He spent many years in Germany (1892-1907); 1908, after suffering a nervous breakdown, he returned to Norway. He also gained great recognition, which resulted in numerous solo exhibitions in his homeland, as well as in Germany and Switzerland, and a commission from Munch for wall decorations - allegories of Science, History and Nature for the University of Oslo (1910-15). At the same time, he worked in almost complete seclusion. In the last period of his life he painted portraits and landscapes. In the Third Reich and occupied Norway, Munch's paintings were removed from museums as examples of so-called degenerate art. In his works he used strong contour, flowing, Art Nouveau lines and rich color, with which he associated symbolic meanings; he repeated the same themes in painting (oil, pastel) and graphics (woodcuts, lithographs, etchings).