Munch's words

Written in French.

Munch wrote all his life: poems, notes, lists of all kinds, letters, postcards, telegrams... The collection of the Munchmuseet in Oslo contains more than 12,000 manuscripts in his handwriting, a selection of which is gathered in this little book.

Illustrated with a selection of key works, as well as photos from the Munchmuseet archives, this elegantly designed book, introduced by the kraft paper cover, offers access to an intimate and unfiltered reading of the painter's work, to complement and extend the visit to the Musée d'Orsay's exhibition-event. For Munch, art is a "confession", the way to explain "life and its meaning", to offer others "a glimmer of truth" that draws its inspiration from nature. This thirst for revelation is measured by the yardstick of his compatriots,
"enemies", who, in the press, with "the poison gas of words", break down the painter's "work force", while his friends, in France or in Germany, prevent him from "starving to death" with their commissions. The painter's health is fragile, he drowns in alcohol and in the "poison" of women, since love "leaves behind only a pile of ashes". But if "an unbalanced stomach causes bad thoughts", he sharpens an exacerbated sensitivity rendered in his incisive notes.

Exhibition at the musée d'Orsay from September 19th 2022 to January 22nd 2023.

Written in French.
128 pages / 80 illustrations

Coédition Réunion des musées nationaux - Grand Palais / Musée d'Orsay
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