Desire, Anxiety, and Loss: The Prints of Edvard Munch

The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University announces an exhibition by the great turn-of-the-century symbolist artist Edvard Munch (1863- 1944), March 22–June 25, 2006. "Desire, Anxiety, and Loss: The Prints of Edvard Munch" brings together 36 works, lithographs, etchings and drypoints, and woodcuts, from 15 collections. His earliest etchings from the mid-1890s are compared to his more mature woodcuts and lithographs of the following two decades. These works are vivid expressions of the intense transforming emotions and private pain that Munch experienced in his life. Although personal in nature, these powerful images and the feelings they depict — desire, jealousy, anxiety, and loss — are universal. His self-portraits and portraits of writers and musicians, such as Stephane Mallarmé, Henrik Ibsen, and Frederick Delius are also shown. These images provide insight into the friendships that nourished and influenced Munch’s art.

The exhibition highlights three aspects of the artist’s career. First, his earliest etchings of the 1890s presage later recurring themes. Second, the innovative woodcuts and lithographs from about 1900 profoundly express his preoccupation with the complex and contradictory nature of woman. Third, his portraits of himself, other artists, writers, and musicians include August Strindberg and Henrik Ibsen.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a symposium is planned for Saturday April 29, 2006. In addition, there will be a reading from Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House by American Conservancy Theater star Renee Augeson, a showing of Peter Watkins’ award-winning biographical film (Edvard Munch, 1976, 167 minutes, color, Norwegian w/ English subtitles) and a series of concerts presented jointly with members of Stanford University’s Department of Music.

Admission is free.

When: March 22-June 25, Open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm, Thursdays until 8 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Where: Cantor Arts Center, just off Palm Drive, at Museum Way and Lomita Drive.
Info: http://www.stanford.edu/home/arts/index.html