A new book gives a surprisingly approach to Edvard Munch. It contains new research on one of the world’s greatest expressive artists.
Authored by Marit Lande, Hans Grelland, Paul Nome and Haakon Mehren, the book reveals new material on several paintings, with astonishing conclusions. Through different approaches the four authors let us see Edvard Munch through new eyes.
Edvard Munch (1863 – 1944) is described ad nauseam as the iconic Nordic, tormented 19th Century painter. His most famous piece, the pastel-on-board version of The Scream (1895) that sold at Sotheby’s for £73,921,284 in May 2012, depicts a deeply traumatic scene where a man screams in agony against the backdrop of a red, sinister sky. Unfortunately perhaps, The Scream series has somehow eclipsed Munch’s prolific body of work – drawings, paintings and prints that show a magnificent diversity in terms of subject, resonance and style.
An important part of this book throws new light on Munch’s position towards religion and philosophy emphasizing the artist’s strong relation to the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. This is probably the most unusual book ever on Munch’s life and work.
The book is published by Orfeus Publishing, a publisher of art and design books, with big ambitions. It has become one of the leading publishers within art, architecture and design in the Nordics and collaborate closely with Arvinius Publishing in Sweden, I.B. Tauris and Philip Wilson in the UK in addition to working closely with the outstanding designers and proficient printers Livonia. The aim is to produce books which are a delight to the eyes as well as containing many a literary gems.
The publishers also edit projects regarding documentaries which dare to make intrepid voices heard. Orfeus Publishing was started by Ole Rikard Høisæther in 1995 and in 2011 became an independent publisher after having been part of Cappelen Damm for 10 years.
Feature image on top: Portrait of Edvard Munch (1895) by Akseli Gallen-Kallela | WikiCommons