Course overview

Edvard Munch’s The Scream is one of the most iconic images in modern art—but it represents only a fraction of the Norwegian artist’s powerful and provocative work. This session explores Munch’s life and career, from his early struggles and personal tragedies to his innovative approaches to painting and printmaking. We’ll look closely at his portraits and self-portraits, symbolist landscapes, and haunting graphic works. As we do so, we’ll trace how he gave visual form to themes of love, anxiety, illness, and death. Join us to discover the depth and complexity of an artist who helped shape the modern imagination—far beyond The Scream.

Course description

Best known for his haunting masterpiece The Scream, Edvard Munch was far more than a single image. This three-hour lecture explores the life, ideas, and enduring impact of one of modern art’s most psychologically intense and visually striking figures. Born in 1863 in Norway, Munch's art was shaped by personal trauma, existential anxiety, and a deep interest in the emotional and symbolic capacities of painting. Yet his creative reach extended far beyond a single work. In this session, we’ll delve into Munch’s broader body of work—his experimentation with colour, form, and media; his influence on German Expressionism and later 20th-century art; and his ability to translate themes of love, death, alienation, and desire into unforgettable visual language. We’ll explore how Munch navigated the social and intellectual movements of his time, and how his art evolved over a long and prolific career.

Moving beyond his most iconic image, we will explore Munch’s powerful printmaking, which allowed him to distil his emotional themes into bold, economical forms. We will consider his psychologically charged portraits and self-portraits, and his often-overlooked landscapes, where mood and memory shape the natural world. Together, these works reveal a complex artist who returned obsessively to key motifs, finding new meaning in repetition and reinvention.

What financial support is available?

We don't want anything to stand in your way when it comes to bringing Adult learning within reach so if you need anything to support you to achieve your goals then speak to one of our education experts during your enrolment journey. Most of our courses are government funded but if you don't qualify or need alternative financial help to access them then let us know.

What other support is available?

All of our digital content, teaching and learning activities and assessments are designed to be accessible so if you need any additional support you can discuss this with the education experts during your enrolment journey and we will do all we can to make sure you have optimal access.

Share this page:

Image of hands on a keyboard
Image overlay triangle

Download this course information

Lady giving a thumbs up to her tablet as she watches a WEA member lecture
Image overlay triangle

Become a WEA member today

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Need more information?

Need help? Complete our form and our friendly Support Services team will be back in touch.

Course contact
I am most interested in (tick all that apply)

How do we use the information we gather from you?
Please see our privacy policy.