Born in Norway in 1863, Edvard Munch was known for expressing intense emotions through his art, helping shape early Expressionism. Many of his works carry a dark, somber mood shaped by the loss of his mother and sister to illness during his childhood. His famous painting The Scream (1893) demonstrates how he conveyed emotions through bold forms rather than a wide range of colors.
Later in life, the death of his father had a profound impact on his mental health and contributed to his heavy drinking. At the age of 45, he was hospitalized and advised to live a calmer life. He eventually moved to the Norwegian countryside, where he began painting landscapes.
On the cover, The Sun (1911) depicts a bright sun in the center with rays spreading across the canvas, celebrating renewal and the hope of life through vibrant colors, an approach that sharply contrasts with his earlier works. He was nearly blinded from staring at the sun while doing this painting.
By portraying both the darkness and the light of life, Munch’s paintings reveal raw and intense emotions, reflecting the profound depths of life.
—Prepared by the World Tribune staff
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