munch

Munch is a surname of Germanic origin, with variants such as Muench and Münch. It is most closely associated with the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863–1944), whose work helped shape modern Expressionism and Symbolism. Born in Løten, Norway, Munch studied at the Royal Drawing School in Kristiania (now Oslo) and developed a distinctive, psychologically charged style that emphasized mood, memory, and existential anxiety.

His best-known work, The Scream (1893), exists in several versions and media and has become one of the most iconic images of modern art. Other important works include The Sick Child (ca. 1885–86) and The Madonna, along with numerous self-portraits, landscapes, and allegorical pieces. Munch's approach evolved from late 19th-century Naturalism toward Symbolism and Expressionism, employing bold color contrasts, sweeping lines, and a focus on interior experience. He produced paintings, drawings, and an extensive series of prints, and his influence extended to later 20th-century artists.

The MUNCH Museum in Oslo houses the world’s largest collection of Munch's works, drawings, and writings and is dedicated to preserving and promoting his legacy. The name and works have left a lasting imprint on modern art, with Munch widely regarded as a foundational figure in European modernism.

Other individuals with the Munch surname have contributed to various fields, but Edvard Munch remains the most prominent reference for the term in art history.