Review: Edvard Munch exhibit at the Clark Art Institute
Review submitted by New England Wax member, Lola Baltzell
My cousin invited me to see the Edvard Munch show “Trembling Earth”
at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA., and I’m so glad that he
did. The show runs through October 15 and this is the only stop in the
US. It will be shown in Potsdam in November and Oslo in April 2024.
Admittedly, Munch’s “The Scream” – a lithograph – is the image I was
most familiar with it’s ubiquitous – coffee cups, socks and mouse pads.
He’s mostly considered a figure painter, but this show focuses mostly on
landscape. I was delighted to see a whole different body of work. He is
considered to be one of the five great postimpressionists.
It’s been many years since I’ve been to the Clark, and the renovations
since 2014 are gorgeous. The grounds are dramatic with a reflecting pool
and the Berkshire hills surrounding it. A very special place.
As a psychotherapist, I was very interested in his personal history. His
mother died of tuberculosis when he was 5, and his sister died when he
was 14. His mother’s sister moved in when his mother died. His father is
described as very religious and strict. He said, ” sickness, insanity
and death were the angels that surrounded my cradle and they followed me
throughout my life.” He committed himself to a psychiatric hospital in
1910 for alcoholism and psychosis. He recovered after eight months, and
continued his career. We wonder if he was a repressed gay man which led
to alcoholism and mental health problems.
The show included series of lithographs and woodcuts, as well as
paintings. The figurative work was uncomfortable to view – the adult
relationships felt tortured, the children felt frail and vulnerable. The
landscapes felt much more positive.
My favorite pieces were “The Yellow Log”, “New Snow” and “Fertility”. We
agreed that we loved his trees. Unique shapes, colors and mark-making. I
particularly loved “New Snow” which feels so hopeful.
We talked non-stop as we viewed the show, and listened to others’
conversations as well. It was thought-provoking, disturbing, dynamic, and
gorgeous. We loved it.
Sounds like an interesting show, about a fascinating artist. Thank you!
When I was doing a lot of woodcuts during college, Edvard Munch was one of my favorites! Thank you Lola for writing a review of the show and sharing some of his paintings that I have never seen. I hope I can find the time to go visit this exhibit.
I also had no idea that Much did landscapes. Thank you for the enlightening review.
Thanks for the review. I look forward to getting to the Clark before this show closes.
Thanks Lola for reminding me that I must see this, only an hour away. Yes, the Clark is a fine destination and their shows are fantastic. These landscapes by Munch are particularly interesting as I have not seen them before and the title beckons.
After reading your write up I hope to go see the show.
Lola, thanks so much for your insightful blog. I can’t wait to see the show. It is so rare to see work that elicits such strong emotions
Thank you so much for this review Lola! It definitely makes me want to go back and revisit some of my favorite Munch paintings and search for new ones. I won’t be able to see the show, but this review gave me a window into it.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience of this show!
Great to be reminded of what a great artist he was. Has been a favorite of mine for a long time. Paintings are full of emotion. Thanks for the write up.
Thanks for this wonderful review. The Neue Museum in NY had an exhibition several years ago, with the dark woodcuts and lithos. The original Scream was shown in a small very dark shrine, allowing just a few people in at a time. Claustrophobia and darkness added to the mood of the painting.