The Frieze of Life

paintings by Munch

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July 20, 2026

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The "Frieze of Life" is a series of paintings by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, created around 1892-1902. This series explores universal themes of love, anxiety, and death, drawing deeply from Munch's personal experiences and the emotional turmoil of the modern world.1

Key works within the "Frieze of Life" include:
* "The Sick Child" (1885-86), depicting the death of his sister.1
* "The Scream" (1893), a powerful symbol of spiritual anguish.21
* "The Kiss" (1892), illustrating the merging of two individuals in love.1
* "Madonna" (1894), a complex portrayal of conception and mortality.1

Munch's intensely evocative style, influenced by Symbolism and Post-Impressionism, significantly impacted German Expressionism. His work often uses flowing lines and bold colors to express profound psychological states.1

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Edvard Munch
Paintings of love and death
…first exhibited under the title Frieze of Life at the Berlin Secession in 1902. Munch constantly rearranged these paintings, and if one had to be sold, he would make another version of it. Thus in many cases there are several painted versions and prints based on the same image. Although…
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…first exhibited under the title Frieze of Life at the Berlin Secession in 1902. Munch constantly rearranged these paintings, and if one had to be sold, he would make another version of it. Thus in many cases there are several painted versions and prints based on the same image. Although…
Read More