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The exhibition "Magic of the North", which will be on show at the Berlinische Galerie from 15 September 2023 to 22 January 2024, tells the story of Edvard Munch and Berlin illustrated by about 80 works: Paintings, prints and photographs.
Image gallery
Edvard Munch, Rot und Weiß, 1899–19
Dance on the Beach (The Linde Frieze)
Seated Model on the Couch
Starry Night
Berlinische Galerie, Außenaufnahme des Museums
With the radical modernity of his paintings, Edvard Munch (1863-1944) challenged his contemporaries, especially in Berlin, where the Norwegian symbolist exerted big influencein the art scene at the turn of the century.
The German capital was in the grip of a fervour for all things Nordic. Even the conservative Association of Berlin Artists invited the young artist, as yet unknown, to put on an exhibition in 1892.
Many members, but also the audience were shocked by the bright colours and perceived the paintings as sketchy.
The artist enjoyed the unexpected public attention. He immediately moved to the Spree, where he lived and worked for extended periods from 1892 to 1907, before settling permanently in Norway from 1909.
The "Munch Affair," as the press sardonically labelled the scandal, is seen as the beginning of modernism in Berlin.
With about 65 exhibitions between 1892 and 1933, Berlin proved to be one of the most important European hotspots in Munch’s career.
Here he found artists, gallery owners, progressive intellectuals and collectors who promoted his work.
On the banks of the Spree, Munch’s works were not just the parting shot for modern art. They also transformed conventional thinking about the “magic of the North” (Stefan Zweig).
Romantic and naturalist notions of fjord landscapes gave way to the psychological density of Munch’s visual cosmos.
During the Nazi dictatorship from 1933, the painter was initially celebrated by cultural politicians as a "great Nordic artist", only to become an early victim of the defamatory campaign against “degenerate” art.
The exhibition embraces about 80 works by Edvard Munch which are joined by the works of other artists, such as Walter Leistikow and Akseli Gallen-Kallela, who set their stamp in the late 19th century on how Berlin imagined the North and on the Modernist art world in the city.
The MUNCH in Oslo and many other international partners are generously supporting the exhibition in Berlin with loans.
Munch in Germany 2023
One artist, two exhibitions - the art highlight in Germany
This exhibition of landscape paintings by Edvard Munch focuses on his interaction with nature.
Art Highlight 2023/2024: Two Edvard Munch Exhibitions in the Berlin-Brandenburg Region
Travel tip from visitBerlin
BAHNHIT: 4-day cultural trip Berlin including arrival and departure with Deutsche Bahn, overnight stay in a hotel with breakfast and day ticket exhibition "Magic of the North" with works by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.
Additional information
Opening hours:
- Wed - Mon 10 am - 6 pm
- Closed on Tuesdays
- Also closed on 24 and 31.12.
Accessibility
The Berlinische Galerie is actively promoting the process
towards an accessible and inclusive museum. It offers an inclusive education
programme and is certified by "Reisen für Alle" ("Tourism for
All”). Here you can find more information: https://berlinischegalerie.de/en/visit/accessible-museum/#c4726
