Words and Images of Edvard Munch

by Bente Torjusen

The Norwegian expressionist painter Edvard Munch, closely associated with Strindberg, Ibsen, Mallarme, was himself a writer and poet. This book combines his graphic work with brief excerpts of his writing.

Genres: Nonfiction

158 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Kirk Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is almost forty years old, but remains by my reckoning a tour de force of the Munch world.

Munch has been the artist that has most resonated for me since my early 20s in college, or at least his paintings. But the majority of his prints and drawings never felt the same. And while I was thrilled to find a book of his poetic prose in the university library, they left me disenchanted: I felt the skill did not match the emotion, which was painful to see.

I'm still not a fan of most of his writing, but this book has entirely changed my view of his graphic works. The fine text introduction sets the stage with insight into why he wrote the way he did, why he explored repetition over the years in both text and art, and the personal and emotional history behind the works and how they are represented. By the time the juxtaposition of words with texts comes, the effect is gobsmacking. I was profoundly moved as well as technically amazed by works I had never been able to connect with before.

The reproductions are marvelous, and on paper that resists reflections from light sources (I had two pointed from advantageous locations). The mediums and the sizes of the pictures are given alongside the titles (why has this fallen out of favor of late?), and - while I feel regressive saying so - I quite enjoyed the sizes being given in inches instead of centimeters: a bit of comfort from the 80s.

And side note: the author photos is my favorite of all time. I kept wondering what was so compelling about it, and then realized that she had, through the unusual angle on her face, and the shaping of her eyebrows, and the set of her smile, turned herself into Munch's Maddona: see Maddona, lithograph, 1895; and Lovers in Waves, lithograph, 1896 (p. 92-93). I salute you, Bente Torjusen.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edvard Munch is my absolute favorite painter. I've always loved the emotion he shows in his work, but what was incredible about this particular compilation was the juxtaposition of his writings with related images. It was so mesmerizing to see a poem or short verse written by Munch next to the pieces because it really made the images seem even deeper somehow. It was as close to asking a painter from the late 1800s to explain a piece as you can get.

I will say that the introductory was on the dry side, and seemed to read more like a book report on Munch verses a glimpse into his life. For an artist so known for his expressive emotions, reading his life in such a bland way was a disappointment.

I'll end the review with the poem corresponding to my favorite painting Melancholy (which you may notice is my Goodreads profile photo):

Down here on the beach I seem
to find an image of my-
self -- of my life --
Is it because
it was by the beach
we walked together that day?
-- The singular smell of seaweed
also reminds me of her
-- The strange rocks which mystically
rise above the water and take
the forms of marvellous creatures
which that evening resembled trolls --
In the dark green
water I see the colors of her
eyes --

Way way out there -- the
soft line where air meets
ocean -- it is incomprehensible -- as
existence -- incomprehensible as
death -- eternal as longing