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Erik Morstad, ed.: Edvard Munch: An Anthology.

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Erik Morstad, ed. Edvard Munch: An Anthology. [Oslo]: Unipub forlag and Oslo Academic P, 2006.

Edvard Munch (1863-1944), the Norwegian painter, may be the most well-known Scandinavian artist in an international community of art historians. Munch has been included in surveys of modern art and even in some general histories of art. Such texts sometimes include reproductions of such iconic images as The Scream (1893) and The Dance of Life (1999-2000). These early paintings have frequently been viewed by art historians as Munch's most potent visual statements. Munch is a key figure in creating expressionistic works of art, powerful, often haunting visual images that bespeak inner feelings, emotions, and psychological states of being. Some of his works like The Scream have entered popular culture. This image of a tormented, somewhat skeletal, almost weightless human figure isolated on a bridge, amidst an overwhelming nature has appeared on book covers, T-shirts, and other commercial objects. Some years ago, I even saw it blown-up to almost life-size as a standing punching bag designed to help alleviate anxiety and stress.

There are, of course, art books and biographies dedicated to the art and career of Edward Munch. This brings us to the new book at hand, Edward Munch: An Anthology, (2006) edited by Erik Morstad. It is composed as nine independent articles, rather than crafted as interwoven chapters, and written by art historians from Norway, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States. The texts themselves...

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