Some experts claim that the graphic artist Edvard Munch in many ways surpasses the painter Edvard Munch. Now you can judge for yourself, as 80 of Munch’s graphic work are on display in Athens.
«Madonna» by Edvard Munch. Photo: The Munch Museum.«
The Scream» is by far the most known and recognized piece of Edvard Munch’s work. Now you have the opportunity to see what is beyond «The Scream» as 80 of Edvard Munch's graphic works are on display at the
Herakleidon Museum in Athens.
- It has been said that even if Edvard Munch had not made a single painting, his work as a graphic artist would still have earned him a solid place in history of art, says Gerd Woll, Senior Curator at the Munch Museum in Oslo.
- Many even claim that the graphic artist Munch in many ways surpasses the painter Munch, says Woll, who will visit Athens on the occasion of the exhibition.
Proud ambassador
The exhibition is supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Athens and the Norwegian Institute at Athens, and the Norwegian ambassador Mr. Sverre Stub is proud to have the work of Munch present in Athens.
- Munch has given the world some unique masterpieces of art, and I am really looking forward to see some of them at the Herakleidon Museum, says Stub.
Paul Firos, founder of Herakleidon Museum, is very pleased to have Munch back in Athens.
- Twenty five years have passed since the last extensive exhibition of Munch’s graphic work was presented in Athens, says Firos.
- A whole new generation of museum goers will now have the opportunity to admire in our museum some of the most stunning works on paper that Munch produced during his long artistic career.
After the museum held the exhibition «Toulouse-Lautrec and the Belle Époque in Athens and Paris» in 2007 - 2008, it wanted to exhibit the work of Edvard Munch in order for the public to ponder how two contemporary artists could view the world in such different terms.
The 80 graphic works on display are brought from the collection of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, a gift of Charles and Evelyn Kramer, New York
Some of the most highly renowned modern graphic works
In 1894 – 30 years old - Munch began to work with graphic media. First etching and lithography, and a few years later, woodcut – which he would revolutionize. Prints such as «The Sick Child», «The Kiss» and «Madonna» are now some of the most highly renowned modern graphic works. Munch’s graphic production totals over 700 works, including some 200 etchings and 140 woodcuts; the rest are lithographs. The subject matter of his graphic works closely resembles that of his paintings.