Kragerø, a charming coastal town that once housed one of the world’s most iconic painters, Edvard Munch. Take a stroll through the streets of Kragerø and discover the places that once inspired Munch to create some of his most famous works. The walk winds through neighborhoods and streets that typically don’t attract tourists, yet now feature plaques with text and images marking the spots where Munch painted his motifs.

In May 1909, Munch arrived in Kragerøfjorden aboard a coastal boat. After an extended stay in Copenhagen, he chose Kragerø as his next residence. He settled in Skrubben, where he rented a house. These years in Kragerø became one of the most productive periods in Munch’s career. The environment and light in Kragerø had significant importance for him, a fact he frequently mentioned in his letters.

In his spacious studio at Skrubben, he created masterpieces during the so-called “Kragerø period,” including the world-renowned Aula decorations that now adorn the University of Oslo. Motifs like “The Sun,” “History,” and “Alma Mater” were born here. Additionally, he spent time painting portraits of friends and artists he knew. He also captured the beauty of Kragerø’s urban landscape and the surrounding hills, subjects he particularly cherished.

To honor Munch’s time in Kragerø, a sculpture was erected in 1998 at Skrubben, precisely where he found inspiration for one of his greatest works, “The Sun.” The sculpture, crafted by local artist Per Elsdorff, was cast at the A.M. Andersen metal foundry on Øya, commemorating Munch’s connection to this beautiful coastal town.