Snowstorm by the Sea 1910 - 1912

Editor: Right now, we're looking at "Snowstorm by the Sea" by Edvard Munch, probably painted between 1910 and 1912. It's a landscape rendered in swirling strokes of blue, white, and green. It's difficult to tell exactly what the materiality is here, but it definitely captures a blustery, unsettling scene. What strikes you most when you see this painting? Curator: Well, thinking historically, it's fascinating to see how Munch uses the natural world to externalize internal psychological states. After his nervous breakdown in 1908, Munch's style shifted somewhat. How do you interpret the swirling brushstrokes and muted palette in relation to his personal history? Editor: It’s like the chaos he may have felt inside is mirrored in the storm outside. The public perception of mental health at that time… it must have been a radical act to express vulnerability in this way. Curator: Exactly. And think about the socio-political context too. Norway was navigating its identity, its relationship to the past and future. Munch’s art contributed to that national dialogue. How do you see that national identity reflected in the piece? Does the landscape become symbolic? Editor: I hadn't considered the national aspect, but the starkness, the wildness of the scene…it definitely evokes a sense of Nordic identity. The harshness and isolation perhaps became visual metaphors. Curator: Precisely. And the fact that these emotions and these locations are put in public, for consumption… art changes it's meanings with display and societal perceptions. Editor: That makes me appreciate the role of museums and galleries so much more! It changes how art is both created and understood. Curator: Absolutely, and hopefully considering that helps unlock even deeper readings in artworks like this. Editor: This discussion's really changed how I view Munch, thanks!