Geniuses in Sunrays
1914-16
Most people know Edvard Munch for 'The Scream,' but this playful sketch reveals a totally different side of the angst-ridden artist. Created as a study for his massive murals at the University of Oslo around 1914, these floating, colorful figures—dubbed 'geniuses'—look more like joyful astronauts than serious scholars. The loose, almost childlike lines suggest Munch was experimenting with how light and energy could radiate through a space. It’s fascinating to see a master of dark symbolism playing with such bright, chaotic energy, essentially doodling ideas for a grand public monument.