The Influence of Bohemianism on the Life and Work of Edvard Munch

Eden Abrahams
Trinity College Dublin
Department of History of Art and Architecture
2020
BA

Subject: Painting, Prints
Country: Norway
Period: 19th-20th centuries

10,000 words

My dissertation explores Edvard Munch’s exposure to Bohemianism. He made contact with the Bohemian group, Kristiania Boheme, at an early stage in his career and was infleunced by their ideas and lifestyle. Munch owes the turn in his career, to paint from his own life experiences, to the influence of the Bohemians, especially Hans Jaeger. This influence had a long lasting effect on Munch’s artistic style/ He was associated with other Bohemian groups and artists throughout his life and was familiar with all of their views. He accepted some and rejected others. He especially rejected the Bohemian ideal of “free love,’ which stood for women’s sexual liberation and freedom for all to enjoy sex outside of marriage. His acquaintances with advocates of free love, fellow misogynists and Bohemian women, shaped his views on women and love.

Irish Georgian Society

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The Influence of Bohemianism on the Life and Work of Edvard Munch