Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch (1863-1944) is the greatest artist Norway has produced, and is also considered a great artist in the context of European art history. He is acknowledged as one of the greatest painters in the world, and his graphic prints are mentioned on a par with those of masters such as Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Picasso and Warhol.    

Morten Zondag gave a lecture on Edvard Munch in the Galleri Würth at the end of August 2011, in which amongst other things he said: “Munch was so modern and advanced for his time that he is still relevant today. This is due not least to the fact that he possessed many of the features that we see in the artists of our own day. He used himself in his art, just as contemporary artists do today. Edvard Munch is also eternally relevant because he manages to say something universal that concerns the individual, and he says it in such a simple way that one need not be an art historian to comprehend the message… Works of art such as The Kiss, Jealousy, Madonna or The Scream speak clearly and distinctly to all who see them. This fits well with the current trend among an audience that wants art which relates to the great emotions in life.”

In about 1950, Inger M. Munch, the younger sister of Edvard Munch (1863-1944), contacted Kaare Berntsen Sr. because she wanted to sell some of Munch’s graphic prints. Prior to this, Kaare Berntsen Sr. had long been aware of the importance of the great artist’s oeuvre. But this meeting proved to be the first of many sales of Munch’s works. In 2008, the firm of Kaare Berntsen was involved in a project to realise the production of the long-awaited catalogue raisonné: ”Edvard Munch Samlede Malerier” (“Edvard Munch Collected Works”), in collaboration with the Munch Museum in Oslo and the Galleri Faurschou in Copenhagen. 

Through the generations, Kaare Berntsen has built up a solid mass of expertise on Edvard Munch, which is unique in Norway. And we have been involved in many important transactions in both the Norwegian and international art markets.

Kaare Berntsen Jr. has worked with Munch's art since he began working in the family business in the 1970's, and has been an important partner of the legendary Munch collectors such as Strauss and Epstein. Already in the early 1960's his father, ​​Kaare Berntsen Sr., had the first separate exhibitions with Edvard Munch. Kaare Jr. is still very much active and if possible, even more engaged in the Munch's art than before.

Morten Zondag has headed Kaare Berntsen’s Fine Art Department since 2009. Morten is an expert on Edvard Munch and his art, and is considered to be a great authority with many years’ experience and broad expertise. He is in regular contact with prominent museums, collectors and market players in Norway and internationally, and has proved a valuable resource in developing further Kaare Berntsen’s traditional dealings with Munch’s works and the Munch market.   

Nina Sørlie is the Senior Fine Art Expert at Kaare Berntsen and has contributed expertise on Edvard Munch, including to the Munch Museum’s publication entitled Edvard Munchs Livsfrise – En rekonstruksjon av utstillingen hos Blomqvist 1918” (“Edvard Munch’s Frieze of Life – A Reconstruction of the Exhibition at Blomqvist in 1918”). Nina’s essay was on the subject of “Edvard Munch’s meeting with the Kristiania public” in the late 19th/early 20th century. She has been affiliated to the Munch Museum on various projects and has also been involved in building up a private collection of Munch’s works.   

Buying and selling
Should you possess a work of art by Edvard Munch which you would like to have valued, or if you are looking to purchase a work by Munch, we will be happy to assist. We have a long tradition in, and experience of, dealing in graphic prints, watercolours and paintings, and can assist with buying, selling and insurance.   

Kaare Berntsen has a valuable wealth of knowledge and insight into, and understanding of, current trends regarding market developments for Munch’s art. Here you will find more information concerning valuations, buying and selling or other services that we can assist you with.

Recommended links (external pages):

Munch-museet in Oslo
Catalogue Raisonné 
 Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt
Tate Modern in London
Sotheby's: The Scream
Masterpiece, London 2012