Why art lovers will be descending on Oslo

A new building has transformed Oslo's skyline and this Friday the new Munch Museum will open its doors. 

The new museum and gallery is being billed as "one of the highlights in Norwegian cultural life". 

The 13 floors are dedicated to the famous expressionist painter Edvard Much's life and art. 

The distinctive museum building, designed by Estudio Herreros, has been specially designed for major art exhibitions.

Visitors will be able to see no fewer than four versions of the iconic painting The Scream in the new facility. 

Covering 26,313 square metres and 11 galleries, the museum is tailor-made for the world's biggest collection of art by Munch, as well as works by other Modernist and contemporary artists. 

Edvard Munch was born in Løten, Norway, in 1863 and was active for more than 60 years. He is regarded as one of Modernism’s most important artists.

His best-known work is The Scream (above), painted in 1893, which is one of the most iconic paintings in modern art. Other famous pieces include The Girls on the Bridge and Madonna (not that one!).

Munch died at his home in Oslo in 1944, shortly after his 80th birthday.

The four versions of The Scream will be displayed in a rotunda, each for one hour at a time as part of the permanent exhibition. 

"The Scream is more relevant now than ever in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic," says Maren Lindeberg, head of press at the museum.

"The Scream has come to reflect our collective anxiety and fear of the global virus. Sometimes the effect is humorous, like when the Scream-figure is depicted wearing a face mask and carrying hand sanitiser." 

For details visit www.visitnorway.com and www.munchmuseet.no/