Edvard Munch, Winter in Kragerø, 1912, oil on canvas. Munchmuseet, MM.M.00392, © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: Munchmuseet / Halvor Bjørngård 

Munch’s fascination with metamorphosis, together with his faith in nature’s cyclical renewal, led him to depict each season with reverence. His paintings of snowy landscapes celebrate the mystery and wonder of Norway’s long, dark winters. The large-scale evening vistas, painted in hues of white and blue, feature starry night skies and sturdy pine trees emboldened by the cold months. His snowcapped forests, townscapes, and moonlit winter skies convey a sense of quiet awe. Munch also depicted extreme weather events such as storms during the warmer months, allowing him to explore tumultuous conditions like waving trees and whipping clouds. For all his awareness of humankind’s imprint on nature and interconnectedness with the universe, Munch’s paintings of snow, storm, and ice present nature as a force that is ultimately beyond human control.