Designed by Spanish architect Estudio Herreros, the Munch museum houses the world’s biggest collection of works by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, including ‘The Scream’ (1893).
Located in Bjørvika, Munch has more than 26,000 works of art in its collection, as well as 11 exhibition halls, as well as a programme of cultural events and experiences.
Highlights include murals such as ‘The Sun’ (1909), and several versions of Munch’s ‘The Scream’, including an early study in pastel from 1893 and a painted version from 1910.
The museum is five times the size of the original building in Tøyen, increasing exhibition space to 26,313 square metres. It also features spectacular views of Oslo from an observation area.
26,000 works of art
“Visitors to the new museum will always be able to experience the highlights of Edvard Munch’s artistic career, alongside changing exhibitions of works by other artists,” said Stein Olav Henrichsen, director of Munch.
“At Bjørvika we will be able truly to utilize the potential of our collection, and partnerships with other museums will enable us to bring works to Norway that have never been shown here before.”
Munch is fully accessible, with research and conservation facilities available to the public. The programme of events includes concerts, literature readings, performances and art workshops.
The museum’s collection includes more than half of Munch’s known works and boasts more than 26,700 paintings, prints, photographs, drawings and watercolours, created between 1873 and 1944.
Several versions of ‘The Scream’
In addition, the collection features items such as Munch’s printing plates and lithographic stones, as well as letters and approximately 10,000 objects from the artist’s personal belongings.
The museum will also host temporary exhibitions by Norwegian and international artists. The opening programme includes Tracey Emin‘s first major Scandinavian exhibition, ‘The Loneliness of the Soul’.
“The museum will help visitors to experience and learn about the history of the city, establishing a strong connection between the urban development of the city and the art of Edvard Munch,” said Juan Herreros, lead architect at Estudio Herreros.
“Greeting people at both day and night, Munch is a new reference point in Oslo’s skyline that gives locals and visitors an overview and orientation within the city, the surrounding mountains and the Oslo fjord.”
Images: Munch
