9 quotes from Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch was a painter with a mark on the history of art by the theme of his works. Anguish, fear, illness and death predominate in them, which made him the precursor of German expressionism. However, there are some phrases by Edvard Munch that have also survived to this day and that allow us to reflect on the art of painting.

The themes that Munch chose and that are present in each of his works, for example, anguish in The Screamhad a lot to do with his personal history.

The loneliness and depression that led to strong alcoholism allowed his most creative side to emerge.. However, although he was a fairly renowned painter, Munch died in 1944 in a sanatorium completely plagued by loneliness. Let’s look at some of the phrases he left us.

The Scream of Edvard Munch

1. Painting is sacred

This first of Edvard Munch’s phrases suggests that this painter considered painting something sacred. In fact, he makes a comparison between this type of art and the church. Perhaps, he looked at the painting that way because through it he expressed his deepest terrors.

For Munch, painting was a way to bring a good part of his inner world to the outside.. This had a lot to do with experiences of death that he experienced in his earliest childhood (his loved ones died when he was still very young).

2. Art emerges from within man

Related to what we have mentioned above, is this second of Edvard Munch’s phrases in which makes it clear that art arises from within man. In other words, from his experiences.

In fact, Munch expresses with this phrase that each painting is the form of the image of the person who makes it.. His entire being, from his eyes to his nerves, are there in every stroke that is captured. A very profound way of conceiving art.

3. Fear and illness as drivers

At the beginning we mentioned that depression, loneliness and alcohol allowed Edvard Munch to let out all his creativity by capturing it on canvas. All this maelstrom of feelings and actions were the product of a romantic relationship quite stormy.

However, despite having ended up in a psychiatric hospital and depending on alcohol, Thanks to this painful experience he was able to become a recognized artist. nowadays. That is why, despite everything, Munch recognizes with this phrase that without fear or illness he would never have made a difference.

4. Art and communication desires

The fourth of Edvard Munch’s phrases reveals an important detail that every expression of art has. Not only through painting, but through writing, sculpture or music; all They have the same purpose: to communicate something.

Art allows the author to transmit his emotions, thoughts, doubts or fears. Through the canvas, Munch showed his anguish, his fear, his terror of being alone. In some way, he intended to communicate what he felt and, also, sought the empathy of those who saw his works.

Edvard Munch’s kiss

5. Open the heart

Related to the previous one, this phrase insists that art is not an isolated expression of the heart of man. Rather, It is the heart itself that seeks to open itself to encounter with the other and establish communication between two different worlds.. Thus, art emerges from the desire to make oneself known and to know that other through the genuine opening of two hearts that beat in unison when contemplating a work of art.

6. The past is now

This phrase by Munch reveals to us that childhood is not a forgotten stage of our existence, something that already was and is now no longer. On the contrary, it remains, even though it had its place long ago. Each of us carries experiences and impressions from childhood that determine certain ways of behaving and thinking today. We paint the past of our childhood in our present.

7. Art and being

Edvard Munch reflects in this phrase deep existential concerns that haunt us all: who am I? Why am I this way and not another? Why am I not like the others? Munch shows us a way to answer all these questions: art. As a means of expression, art allows us to see, hear and feel what we are and thus recognize the essence that differentiates us from others.

8. Death and life

In this paradoxical phrase, Munch reaffirms what mystics from various Eastern and Western traditions have told us: To be born to true life you must die to this worldly life, dying to the world of the senses and attachments that disturb the simple and harmonious flow of existence. Perhaps Edvard Munch meant something else, but, regardless of his intention, let us allow ourselves to be touched by this reflection: What must we die (give up) now for our lives to be full? You have to die to live.

9. Paint life

This last of Edvard Munch’s phrases summarizes everything mentioned and makes clear what art was for this painter. Painting lacking emotion, which only reflects a reality that we can all see, made no sense to him.

Munch considered that the most valuable art was that which came from within each person. and, therefore, it had to reflect fears, sadness, traumas, pain, love. In short, it had to transmit emotions to those who were willing to enjoy it, as the article points out. The emotions of the viewer in a photographic, pictorial and cinematographic experience. That is what he considered made each work valuable.

Finally, did you know any works of art by Edvard Munch? Did you know anything about his personal history? We hope that these phrases have brought you closer to the way of thinking of this painter who suffered a lot in his life, but who left us a very valuable lesson about art: it should be a channel of communication where those who appreciate it can see themselves, perhaps, reflected. .

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